Panther student-athletes recognized at ninth annual PESPY Awards

Photo by: UNI Athletics

Panther student-athletes recognized at ninth annual PESPY Awards

4/22/2026 3:52:00 PM | General

CEDAR FALLS, Iowa --- UNI student-athletes gathered on Tuesday night at the Hilton Garden Inn to celebrate the past year of athletic and academic achievements at the ninth annual PESPY Awards.

The purple carpet and formal event, organized by the UNI Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC), saw a number of awards presented as nominated and voted on by the student-athlete population on campus.

This year's winners and nominees included:

MOMENT OF THE YEAR: Men's basketball's Arch Madness tournament title run.

Nominees: Adam Ahrendsen's upset wins to seal UNI wrestling's NWCA dual national title, Avery Hogan winning MVC Diver of the Year, Carson Lienau and David Russell's MVC Indoor Championship performances in the shot put and volleyball's MVC regular season and tournament three-peat.

MALE NEWCOMER OF THE YEAR: Ryan Crandall (Football)

NOMINEES: Maximus Brady (Wrestling), Caleb Rathjen (Wrestling), Jacob Yoerger (Track & Field).

FEMALE NEWCOMER OF THE YEAR: Emma Randecker (Track & Field)

NOMINEES: Peyton Johnson (Softball), Lindsay Oldendorf (Volleyball), Jane Petersen (Golf), Jenna Twedt (Women's Basketball).

MALE SCHOLAR-ATHLETE OF THE YEAR: Connor Thorpe (Wrestling)

NOMINEES: Micaiah Ellis (Track & Field), Hunter Jacobson (Men's Basketball), Calvin Jaworski (Football), Cael Rahnavardi (Wrestling).

FEMALE SCHOLAR-ATHLETE OF THE YEAR: Hannah Nedder (Swimming & Diving)

NOMINEES: Kaylin Lacher (Track & Field), Mary Kelly (Track & Field), Erica Peters (Swimming & Diving), Ava Smithson (Softball), Darci Wiseman (Track & Field).

UNI SPIRIT AWARD: Jaxon Dailey (Football)

NOMINEES: Colin Buch (Men's Track & Field), Sophie Buysse (Volleyball), Kalob Runyon (Wrestling), Paige Seehawer (Swimming & Diving), Anna Van Kooten (Women's Track & Field).

STAFFLETE OF THE YEAR: Justin Peine (Strength & Conditioning)

NOMINEES: Cael Happel (Wrestling), Brandon Ronan (Strength & Conditioning), Rachel Ronan (Strength & Conditioning), Boone Tomlinson (Athletic Training).

UNSUNG HERO AWARD: Cael Rahnavardi (Wrestling)

NOMINEES: Elyse Brayton (Swimming & Diving), Sydney Golden (Volleyball), Caroline Hazen (Soccer), Hunter Jacobson (Men's Basketball), David Russell (Men's Track & Field).

BEST COMEBACK AWARD: Isabelle Elliott (Volleyball)

NOMINEES: Aspen Cole (Swimming & Diving), Avery Hogan (Swimming & Diving), Jordan McClom (Football), Sydnee Scott (Women's Track & Field), RJ Taylor (Men's Basketball).

TEAM COMMUNITY SERVICE AWARD: Football

NOMINEES: Men's Basketball, Women's Basketball, Swimming & Diving, Volleyball.

COACHING STAFF OF THE YEAR: Dave Paulsen and Track & Field Staff

NOMINEES: Bethany Hovland (Diving), Ryan Jacobs and Softball Staff, Bobbi Petersen and Volleyball Staff, Doug Schwab and Wrestling Staff.

TEAM OF THE YEAR: Volleyball

NOMINEES: Men's Basketball, Swimming & Diving, Softball, Men's Track & Field, Wrestling.

MALE ATHLETE OF THE YEAR: Carter Morton (Track & Field)

NOMINEES: Calen Bishop (Golf), Trey Campbell (Men's Basketball), Ryder Downey (Wrestling), Bill Jackson (Football).

CO-FEMALE ATHLETES OF THE YEAR: Ryley Goebel (Women's Basketball) and Kate Lappe (Softball)

NOMINEES: Lily Dykstra (Volleyball), Cassidy Hartman (Volleyball), Abby Lear (Swimming & Diving), Emma Randecker (Track & Field).

BIG CAT AWARD: Bill Mukhtar (Men's Track & Field)

NOMINEES: Derek Anderson (Football), Caroline Hazen (Soccer), Erica Peters (Swimming & Diving), Connor Thorpe (Wrestling), Anna Wischnowski (Softball).

UNI Athletics action can be followed all year long on social media on Facebook (UNI Athletics), X (@UNIAthletics) and on Instagram (@uniathletics). Schedules and rosters, along with the latest Panther news and information can be found online at UNIpanthers.com.