KOKOMO, Ind. – The Department of Athletics recognized several student-athletes, supporters and coaches at their end of season banquet Wednesday evening during the Celebration of Champions event. The event was hosted in the Student Activities and Events Center with a catered meal, awards and formal attire. Athletic Director Tom Norris emceed the evening in which ten different awards were given out across the 14 varsity sports.
Each award had three or four nominees presented with a member of the athletics department announcing the winner. IU Kokomo Chancellor Mark Canada gave some brief remarks and then presented Female and Male "Scholar Athlete of the Year" awards.
Women's soccer took home three awards highlighted by the "Team of the Year" award from Tom Norris. Keeley Hoopingarner, the team's leading goal scorer was tabbed as "Female Athlete of the Year" as well as "Performance of the Year" for her hat-trick she netted during the RSC Conference Championship.
In order to watch Wednesday's Celebration of Champions in full, click HERE.
A list of all nominees and winners can be found below:
Female Newcomer of the Year
-Lexi Broyles, Volleyball
-Kailee Moore, Soccer
-Makala Pfefferkorn, Women's Track & Field
Male Newcomer of the Year
-Nolan Bowser, Baseball
-Hayden Williamson, Men's Golf
-Ty Wills, Men's Basketball
Female Scholar Athlete of the Year
-Gabbie Orlando, Tennis
-Lorelei Porter, Volleyball
-Casey Pfefferkorn, Women's Cross Country / Track & Field
Male Scholar Athlete of the Year
-Xavier Hines, Men's Basketball
-JT Holton, Baseball
-Bryce Jennings, Men's Cross Country / Track & Field
Performance of the Year
-Keeley Hoopingarner, Soccer
-Makala Pfefferkorn, Women's Indoor Track & Field
-Brandi Jones, Women's Golf
Female Athlete of the Year
-Lexi Broyles, Volleyball
-Keeley Hoopingarner, Soccer
-Brandi Jones, Women's Golf
-Makala Pfefferkorn, Women's Track & Field
Male Athlete of the Year
-Drew Caldwell, Men's Cross Country / Track & Field
-Lucas Letsinger, Baseball
-Hunter White, Men's Basketball
Team of the Year
-Men's Basketball, Coach Eric Echelbarger
-Men's Golf, Coach Brent Martin
-Women's Indoor Track & Field, Coach Josh Colvin
-Women's Soccer, Coach Sohaila Akhavein
-Volleyball, Coach Heather Hayes
Senior Awards
-All graduating seniors
Cougar Spirit Award
-Ms. Tina Robinson
The 2022-2023 athletics season is not quite complete however, as teams or individuals representing five IU Kokomo athletic programs are still competing. Baseball is playing their final series of the regular season this weekend at Kokomo Municipal Stadium before heading to Chillicothe, Ohio next week to play in the RSC Championship.
Men's and women's outdoor track & field is set to compete in the RSC Outdoor Championships in Ohio tomorrow and Saturday before a last chance meet in two weekends before the NAIA Outdoor Nationals in nearby Marion, Indiana. Women's tennis is also set to begin RSC Championship play Friday in Evansville.
Women's golf will be represented at the NAIA National Championship for the second-straight year, as Brandi Jones punched her ticket to TPC Deere Run by winning this week's RSC Championship as an individual.
For the latest news, updates, and information on the IU Kokomo Cougars, fans can visit IUKCougars.com. Fans can also stay up to date on the latest Cougar news by following @IUKAthletics on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
