Winter and Spring GLVC Scholar-Athlete of the Year Award Winners Announced

INDIANAPOLIS – Sixteen student-athletes from six different Great Lakes Valley Conference (GLVC) schools have been named 2024-25 Winter and Spring Scholar-Athletes of the Year, it was announced by the conference office on Friday. Recipients were honored for their efforts both in the classroom and competition in the sports of baseball, men’s and women’s basketball, women’s bowling, men’s and women’s golf, men’s and women’s lacrosse, softball, men’s and women’s swimming & diving, men’s and women’s tennis, men’s and women’s track & field, and wrestling.

Lewis led the league with five recipients, while Drury, Indianapolis, and Missouri S&T followed with three honorees apiece. Maryville and Rockhurst finished the list with one selection each.
 
Lewis’ Mikey Kocen (baseball), Taylor Gugliuzza (women’s basketball), Savanna Jourdan (women’s bowling), Domenic Tarello (men’s lacrosse), and Delaney Garden (softball) represented the Flyers. The Drury trio of Ivan Adamchuk (men’s swimming and diving), Mellie Wijk (women’s swimming and diving), and Yaroslav Sharyy (men’s tennis) claimed spots for the Panthers. Ava Ray (women’s golf), Hollis Rang (women’s lacrosse), and Zoe Pentecost (women’s track and field) earned the award in their respective sports for UIndy, while S&T’s Andrew Young (men’s basketball), Connor Benjamin (men’s golf), and Owen Fraser (men’s track and field) were honored for the Miners. Maryville’s Ryan Herman (wrestling) and Rockhurst’s Ella Coleman (women’s tennis) rounded out the honorees for the 2024-25 season.

The league selects one student-athlete in each conference sport to be designated the GLVC Scholar-Athlete of the Year. The award is based upon athletic accomplishments, both team and individual, and academic performance in the season upon which the award is based. Each GLVC member has the opportunity to nominate one individual from its team for the award. Nominees must have a cumulative grade point average that meets a 3.50, and freshmen and first-year transfers are not eligible for the award. The voting is completed by each member institution's Faculty Athletics Representative (FAR).

BASEBALL
Mikey Kocen, Lewis
Sr. | Second Base | Beach Park, Ill. | Business Management Major

• Named GLVC Player of the Year and First Team All-GLVC.
• Garnered plethora of national honors, including First Team All-America from American Baseball Coaches Association (ABCA) and Second Team All-America from National Collegiate Baseball Writers’ Association (NCBWA).
  • Was also named Midwest Region Player of the Year by the Division II Conference Commissioners’ Association (D2CCA), ABCA, and NCBWA.
• Paced league in slugging percentage (.825) and on-base plus slugging percentage (1.319), while ranking second in batting average (.407), home runs (19), RBIs (63), and total bases (160).
  • Landed third in on-base percentage (.494), tied for third in runs scored (61)
• Finished 15th in Division II in slugging percentage, along with placing top 50 in home runs, total bases, and batting average.
• Helped Flyers to GLVC Regular Season title and first NCAA Tournament appearance since 2013.
• Claimed GLVC Player of the Week honors on Mar. 17.
• Started 53 games for Lewis, missing just two games.
• Achieved 3.67 semester GPA to land on Lewis’ Dean’s List, holding 3.67 cumulative mark.
• Earned quintet of academic honors: Academic All-GLVC, GLVC Council of Presidents’ Academic Excellence Award, Lewis’ David Delahanty Award, and College Sports Communicators (CSC) Academic All-District.
  • Also a finalist for CSC Academic All-America recognition.

MEN’S BASKETBALL
Andrew Young, Missouri S&T
Jr. | Forward | Ballwin, Mo. | Engineering Management Major

• Named to All-GLVC First Team, leading the Miners with 16.7 points per game, 7.6 rebounds per game, and 54 blocks.
  • Broke program record for single-season blocks.
• Garnered First Team All-Region honors from D2CCA and National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC), along with making the top-100 list for the Bevo Francis Award.
• Ranked third in the league in shooting percentage (.568), tied for second in blocks per game (1.8), fourth in rebounds per game, and seventh in scoring.
• Finished top 25 in DII for blocks and top 35 for blocks per game and field goal percentage.
• Helped S&T to GLVC Regular Season title and top seed in Midwest Regional, the team’s first appearance in the NCAA postseason since 1996.
• Claimed GLVC Player of the Week honors on Nov. 11, Dec. 9, and Jan. 27.
• Started 30 games for the Miners, missing just one contest.
• Achieved 3.80 semester GPA, holding a 3.64 cumulative mark.
• Earned trio of academic honors, including Academic All-GLVC, CSC Academic All-District, and CSC Academic Third Team All-America.

WOMEN’S BASKETBALL
Taylor Gugliuzza, Lewis
Gr. | Guard | New Lenox, Ill. | Criminal Justice Major

• Won GLVC Player of the Year award and was named to All-GLVC First Team.
• Garnered Women’s Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA) All-America Honorable Mention and D2CCA Midwest Region First Team honors.
• Finished fourth in conference for points per game (16.4), fifth in minutes per game (33.1), seventh in field goal percentage (.473).
• Led Flyers to 19-1 league record, second-straight GLVC Regular Season title, and NCAA Tournament berth.
• Claimed GLVC Player of the Week award on Jan. 27.
• Started 29 games for Lewis, missing just one game.
• Achieved 3.75 GPA this year, holding a 3.76 cumulative mark.
• Earned Academic All-GLVC, GLVC Council of Presidents’ Academic Excellence Award, and CSC Academic All-District honors.

WOMEN’S BOWLING
Savanna Jourdan, Lewis
Sr. | Oswego, Ill. | Business Administration Major

• Garnered All-GLVC Honorable Mention recognition.
• Notched percentages of 39.9 (strike), 80.5 (makeable spares), and 87.8 (single-pin spares) en route to averaging 18.81 pins per frame.
• Anchored team’s lineup in baker play at GLVC Tournament, posting a 50.0 strike percentage, 90.0 single-pin spare percentage, and 18.54 pins per frame.
• Claimed GLVC Athlete of the Week award on Feb. 21.
• Achieved 4.0 semester GPA, holding a 3.9 cumulative mark.
• Earned Academic All-GLVC, GLVC Council of Presidents’ Academic Excellence Award, and CSC Academic All-District honors.
  • Also a finalist for CSC Academic All-America recognition.

MEN’S GOLF
Connor Benjamin, Missouri S&T
Gr. | Nelson Bay, Australia | Nuclear Engineering Major

• Earned All-GLVC, Golf Coaches Association of America (GCAA) All-Midwest Region, and GCAA All-America Honorable Mention honors.
• Played 37 rounds for S&T, averaging 71.3 strokes with six top-6 finishes, three top-3 placements, and one win.
  • Lone win came at Findlay Spring Invitational, shooting a school-record 198 in 54 holes.
• Ranked third in the Midwest Region and 45th in DII by Scoreboard rankings, the highest of any GLVC golfer.
• Finished 17th at NCAA Central/Midwest Regional.
• Helped Miners to six tournament victories and first-ever GLVC Championship.
• Claimed GLVC Player of the Week award on Mar. 26.
• Achieved a 4.0 semester GPA, with a 3.55 cumulative mark and making S&T’s Dean’s List.
• Collected trio of academic honors: Academic All-GLVC, GLVC Council of Presidents’ Academic Excellence Award, and CSC Academic All-District.
  • Also a finalist for CSC Academic All-America recognition.

WOMEN’S GOLF
Ava Ray, Indianapolis
Jr. | Franklin, Ind. | Business Administration & Management/MBA Major

• Claimed Women’s Golf Coaches Association (WGCA) All-America Honorable Mention, WGCA All-East Region, and All-GLVC selections.
• Played in 13 tournaments for UIndy, averaging 75.2 strokes per round.
  • Collected medalist honors at Flyers Fall Intercollegiate tournament in October.
• Helped Greyhounds secure 17th GLVC title and advance to NCAA Championship.
  • Placed third at GLVC Championship in stroke play and won both of her matchups in match play.
  • Landed 11th at NCAA East Regional, followed by a 5-under-par 67 in the final round of stroke play at NCAA Championship to crack the top 10 and secure All-America honors.
• Achieved a 3.905 semester GPA, holding a 3.895 cumulative mark for undergrad.
  • Notched 3.700 semester and 3.925 cumulative GPA for her MBA.
• Collected Academic All-GLVC and CSC Academic All-District for academic honors thus far.
  • On track to be named WGCA Scholar All-American and is a finalist for CSC Academic All-America.

 
MEN’S LACROSSE
Domenic Tarello, Lewis
Sr. | Face-off Specialist/Midfielder | Libertyville, Ill. | Sport Management Major

• Named to USA Lacrosse Magazine All-America Third Team, along with earning GLVC Specialist of the Year and First Team All-GLVC.
• Tied for top spot in league for faceoff wins (160), along with placing second in ground balls (79) and faceoff percentage (.627).
• Finished 16th in DII for faceoff percentage and 21st in faceoff wins.
• Helped Flyers to No. 3 seed in the GLVC Tournament and an appearance in the title game.
• Claimed GLVC Defensive Player of the Week award on Feb. 17, Feb. 24, and Apr. 14.
• Appeared in 17 games for Lewis, starting 12.
• Achieved a 3.88 semester GPA to land on Lewis’ Dean’s List, holding a 3.85 cumulative mark.
• Collected quartet of academic honors: Academic All-GLVC, GLVC Council of Presidents’ Academic Excellence Award, Lewis’ David Delahanty Award, and CSC Academic All-District.
  • Also a finalist for CSC Academic All-America recognition.

 
WOMEN’S LACROSSE
Hollis Rang, Indianapolis
Jr. | Defense | Carmel, Ind. | Biology Major

• Voted to Intercollegiate Women’s Lacrosse Coaches Association (IWLCA) All-America Third Team and USA Lacrosse Magazine All-America Honorable Mention squad.
• Named to All-GLVC First Team.
• Paced Greyhounds in ground balls with 47 and caused 23 turnovers.
• Led Indianapolis defense that ranked third in DII for clearing percentage (.910) and eighth in scoring defense (8.36).
• Helped Greyhounds to DII Midwest Region championship and appearance in the DII Semifinals.
• Started all 22 games for UIndy.
• Achieved 3.609 semester GPA, holding a 3.673 cumulative mark.
• Earned pair of academic honors: Academic All-GLVC and CSC Academic All-District.
  • Also a finalist for CSC Academic All-America recognition.

 
SOFTBALL
Delaney Garden, Lewis
Sr. | Pitcher/Outfield | Carpentersville, Ill. | Spanish Language & Culture Major

• Named First Team All-American by National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) and D2CCA, along with being voted GLVC Player and Pitcher of the Year and D2CCA Midwest Region Player of the Year.
• Paced league in batting average (.466), runs scored (62), hits (96), triples (6), ERA (1.55), and opponent batting average (.199).
  • Finished second in innings pitched (202.2) and complete games (25), as well as third in strikeouts (237).
• Helped Flyers to GLVC Regular Season title and NCAA Tournament appearance.
• Claimed GLVC Pitcher of the Week award on Feb. 24, Mar. 3, and Mar. 24.
• Started all 57 games for Lewis, including 26 in the circle.
• Achieved 3.93 semester GPA to land on Lewis’ Dean’s List, holding a 3.80 cumulative mark.
• Earned quarter of academic awards: CSC Academic All-District, Lewis’ David Delahanty Award, Academic All-GLVC, and GLVC Council of Presidents’ Academic Excellence Award.

 
MEN’S SWIMMING AND DIVING
Ivan Adamchuk, Drury
So. | Backstroke/IM/Freestyle | Brest, Belarus | Finance & Accounting Major

• Earned All-America First Team honors in five events at NCAA Championship, including finishing as the national champion in the 100 IM, 100 Back, 200 Back, and 400 Medley Relay.
  • Finished fourth in 200 Medley Relay and earned All-America Honorable Mention recognition in 200 Free.
• Picked up three silver medals (100 Back, 800 Free Relay, and 400 Medley Relay) and two bronze medals (200 IM, 200 Back) at GLVC Championship.
• Helped Panthers win their 13th DII National Championship and seventh GLVC crown.
• Claimed GLVC Athlete of the Week award on Nov. 4.
• Achieved a 3.83 semester GPA, holding a 3.86 cumulative mark.
• Earned CSC Academic All-America First Team, CSC Academic All-District, CSCAA Scholar-Athlete, and Academic All-GLVC recognition.

 
WOMEN’S SWIMMING AND DIVING
Mellie Wijk, Drury
Sr. | IM/Butterfly/Breaststroke/Freestyle | Stockholm, Sweden | Organizational Leadership Communication Major

• Wins second-straight Scholar-Athlete of the Year award.
• Named GLVC Women’s Swimmer of the Year for second consecutive season.
• Earned All-America honors in six events, including winning national championships in 200 IM and 200 Fly along with finishing runner-up in 100 Fly, 200 Breast, 400 Medley Relay, and 800 Free Relay.
• Helped Panthers to ninth GLVC title and second-place finish at DII Championship.
  • Secured conference gold medals in 200 IM, 200 Fly, 100 Fly, 400 FR, 800 FR, and 400 MR.
• Claimed GLVC Athlete of the Week award on Nov. 13 and Jan. 29.
• Achieved 3.83 semester GPA, holding a 3.80 cumulative mark.
• Garnered Drury’s Dr. Edsel Matthews Award, given to the school’s top senior female student-athlete.
• Earned CSC Academic All-America First Team and All-District recognition, along with CSCAA Scholar-Athlete, Academic All-GLVC, and Council of Presidents’ Academic Excellence Award honors.

 
MEN’S TENNIS
Yaroslav Sharry, Drury
Sr. | No. 1 Singles/Doubles | Moscow, Russia | Finance & Economics Major

• Garnered Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA) Midwest Region Senior Player of the Year award.
• Named GLVC Player of the Year and All-GLVC First Team honoree.
• Tallied 15-2 record in singles matches and 15-2 in doubles with partner Lukas Rieber, finishing the season ranked No. 28 in singles and No. 23 in doubles.
• Helped Panthers to GLVC Semifinals and NCAA Tournament appearances.
• Claimed GLVC Player of the Week award four times (Feb. 4, Feb. 12, Mar. 26, Apr. 2).
• Achieved a perfect 4.0 semester GPA, holding a 3.93 cumulative mark.
• Collected trio of conference academic honors: Academic All-GLVC, Brother James Gaffney Distinguished Scholar Award, and Council of Presidents’ Academic Excellence Award.
  • Also named CSC Academic All-District and All-America Second Team.

 
WOMEN’S TENNIS
Ella Coleman, Rockhurst
So. | No. 1 Singles/Doubles | Bentonville, Ark. | Exercise Science Major

• Collected ITA All-America honors.
• Named GLVC Player of the Year and First Team All-GLVC for second-straight year.
• Tallied 24-5 record in singles matches and 16-8 in doubles with partners Zuzanna Szmyd, finishing the season ranked No. 11 in singles and No. 43 in doubles.
• Helped Hawks win first-ever GLVC Championship and first NCAA Tournament appearance since 2012, advancing to the Round of 16.
• Achieved a perfect 4.0 semester GPA to land on Rockhurst’s Dean’s List, holding a 3.83 cumulative mark.
• Earned CSC Academic All-America and All-District recognition, along with ITA Scholar-Athlete, Academic All-GLVC, and GLVC Brother James Gaffney Distinguished Scholar Award .

 
MEN’S TRACK AND FIELD
Owen Fraser, Missouri S&T
Jr. | Throws | Kirksville, Mo. | Mechanical Engineering Major

• Wins second-straight Scholar-Athlete of the Year award.
• Secured national title in discus throw at DII Outdoor Championship.
• Named GLVC Outdoor Field Athlete of the Year and U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) All-Midwest Region in discus and shot put.
• Helped Miners to third-place finish at GLVC Outdoor Championship.
  • Secured gold in shot put (17.05m) and discus throw (60.90m), along with finishing runner-up in hammer throw (61.16m).
  • Set USTFCCCA top-10 mark, new GLVC standard, and broke school record in discus throw.
• Claimed GLVC Outdoor Field Athlete of the Week award on Mar. 26, Apr. 16, and May 1.
• Achieved perfect 4.0 semester GPA to maintain 4.0 cumulative mark and land on S&T’s Dean’s List.
• Collected pair of Conference academic honors: Academic All-GLVC and Brother James Gaffney Distinguished Scholar Award.
  • Also named CSC Academic All-District and is a finalist for CSC Academic All-America recognition.

 
WOMEN’S TRACK AND FIELD
Zoe Pentecost, Indianapolis
Gr. | Throws | Westfield, Ind. | Physical Therapy Assistant Major

• Wins second-straight Scholar-Athlete of the Year award.
• Named First Team All-America after placing third in weight throw at DII Indoor Championship and Second Team All-America with a ninth-place finish in hammer throw at DII Outdoor Championship.
• Helped Greyhounds to third- and fourth-place finishes at GLVC Indoor and Outdoor Championships, respectively.
  • Took gold in weight throw (19.53m) at Indoor Championship.
  • Landed first in hammer throw (61.35m) and third in discus toss (43.07m) at Outdoor event.
• Claimed league’s Indoor Field Athlete of the Week award on Jan. 22 and Jan. 29, followed by Outdoor Field weekly honors on May 1.
• Achieved 3.838 semester GPA, holding a 3.844 cumulative mark.
• Collected CSC Academic All-District, Academic All-GLVC, and GLVC Council of Presidents’ Academic Excellence Award honors.
  • Also a finalist for CSC Academic All-America recognition.

 
WRESTLING
Ryan Herman, Maryville
Gr. | 285-lb | Londell, Mo. | Master’s in Business Administration

• Secured DII title in 285-lb weight class after winning Super Region IV.
• Concluded season with 29-2 record, garnering All-GLVC First Team honors.
  • Midwest Classic champion at 285.
  • Two losses came against top-15 opponents.
• Helped Saints to ninth-place finish at Nationals, the highest among GLVC programs.
• Claimed GLVC Wrestler of the Week award on Dec. 17.
• Achieved 3.80 semester GPA, holding a 3.59 cumulative mark.
• Collected NWCA Scholar All-America, CSC Academic All-District, and Academic All-GLVC honors, as well as earning the GLVC Council of Presidents’ Academic Excellence Award.
  • Also a finalist for CSC Academic All-America recognition.