By: MIAA Communications
KANSAS CITY, Mo. - The MIAA announced its five female and male finalists for the 2021 Spring 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 spring sports season.
Female Finalists for the 2021 MIAA Spring Student-Athlete of the Year award are Ashlan Burton of Central Missouri, Sydni Hawkins of Missouri Western State, Trace Mosby of Pittsburg State, Virgi Scardanzan of Washburn and Gail Young of Northeastern State. Burton and Mosby were finalists for the 2020-21 Winter Student-Athlete of the Year.
Male Finalists for the 2021 MIAA Spring Student-Athlete of the Year award are Kizan David of Lincoln, Blake Freeman of Northeastern State, Ryan Stanley of Fort Hays State, Dusty Stroup of Central Missouri and Levi Wyrick of Pittsburg State. Kizan was previously named the 2020-21 Winter Student-Athlete of the Year. Wyrick is a two-time winner claiming the 2018-19 award and being tabbed the 2019-20 Winter Student-Athlete of the Year.
The winners of the 2021 Spring Student-Athlete of the Year award will be announced on Tuesday, June 29.
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.
To view the complete list of all-time award winners, click here.
2021 Female Spring Student-Athlete of the Year Finalists, presented by Summit Pointe Financial Group
Listed alphabetically by last name
- Ashlan Burton - Central Missouri, Outdoor Track & Field
- Sydni Hawkins - Missouri Western State, Softball
- Trace Mosby - Pittsburg State, Outdoor Track & Field
- Virgi Scardanzan - Washburn, Outdoor Track & Field
- Gail Young - Northeastern State, Softball
2021 Male Spring Student-Athlete of the Year Finalists, presented by Summit Pointe Financial Group
Listed alphabetically by last name
- Kizan David - Lincoln, Outdoor Track & Field
- Blake Freeman - Northeastern State, Baseball
- Ryan Stanley - Fort Hays State, Outdoor Track & Field
- Dusty Stroup - Central Missouri, Baseball
- Levi Wyrick - Pittsburg State, Outdoor Track & Field
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.