By: MIAA Communications
KANSAS CITY, Mo. - The MIAA announced its five female and male finalists for the 2020-21 Winter Student-Athletes of the Year awards, presented by Summit Pointe Financial Group. The awards are the Association’s highest honor for student-athletes during the winter sports season.
Female Finalists for the 2020-21 MIAA Winter Student-Athlete of the Year award are Hunter Bentley of Washburn, Ashlan Burton of Central Missouri, Kelsey Johnson of Central Oklahoma, Trace Mosby of Pittsburg State and Whitney Randall of Fort Hays State.
Male Finalists for the 2020-21 MIAA Winter Student-Athlete of the Year award are Kizan David of Lincoln, Tyler Geiman of Washburn, Chris Goodwin of Central Missouri, Trey Mooney of Pittsburg State and Jared Vitztum of Fort Hays State. Within the group, David was a finalist during the 2019-20 winter season as well.
The winners of the Winter Student-Athlete of the Year award will be announced on Thursday, April 15.
The 2020-21 Student-Athlete of the Year awards are given in lieu of the annual Ken B. Jones award due to the COVID-19 global pandemic. The MIAA’s COVID-19 Task Force recommended an award that properly recognizes the top student-athletes from the winter but not limit the student-athletes who were unable to finish their seasons and collect accolades for a fair and competitive resume.
A 13-member committee comprised of one administrator from each full-member MIAA institution and the conference office ranked each candidate based on excellence in three categories: Athletic Achievement in that academic year, Career Academic Achievements, and Community/Campus Service during the Academic Year. A nominee must have at least a 3.25 cumulative grade-point average through the previous full semester term through February 1, 2021; must be a student-athlete that has participated in good standing in any MIAA sponsored championship sport; and must be scheduled to complete at least his/her junior season of athletic eligibility by June 1, 2021.
2020-21 Female Winter Student-Athlete of the Year Finalists, presented by Summit Pointe Financial Group
Listed alphabetically by last name
- Hunter Bentley - Washburn, Basketball
- Ashlan Burton - Central Missouri, Indoor Track & Field
- Kelsey Johnson - Central Oklahoma, Basketball
- Trace Mosby - Pittsburg State, Indoor Track & Field
- Whitney Randall - Fort Hays State, Basketball
2020-21 Male Winter Student-Athlete of the Year Finalists, presented by Summit Pointe Financial Group
Listed alphabetically by last name
- Kizan David - Lincoln, Indoor Track & Field
- Tyler Geiman - Washburn, Basketball
- Chris Goodwin - Central Missouri, Indoor Track & Field
- Trey Mooney - Pittsburg State, Indoor Track & Field
- Jared Vitztum - Fort Hays State, Basketball
About Summit Pointe Financial Group
Based in Lee’s Summit, Mo., we are an independent financial planning and advisory firm. We work with both individuals and small-to-medium-sized businesses to address their financial objectives and challenges. We utilize proven, and sometimes, unique strategies to achieve their specific goals. We utilize a wide array of financial products, services and strategies that emphasizes reliable performance while minimizing risk, fees, and taxes. We are big enough to help and small enough to care.