The Valparaiso University Department of Athletics held is virtual academic award banquet this week, recognizing 119 student-athletes with Presidential Academic Honors.

Presidential Academic Honors are awarded to student-athletes who have earned a term GPA of 3.25 or higher for at least two consecutive semesters at Valpo.

Valpo also revealed the department’s Top of the Class Awards, Dean’s Awards, Laurel Award and Team Academic Award. 

The Laurel Award is presented to the graduating senior student-athlete with the highest cumulative GPA. This year’s honor was bestowed upon Keegan Maris (Batavia, Ill. / Batavia) of women’s soccer. Maris owns a 4.0 grade point average in nursing.

In addition, the department announced its Top of the Class Awards, which are presented annually to graduating seniors with a 3.9 or better cumulative grade point average. Valpo also revealed this year’s Dean’s Awards, presented to the highest cumulative GPA by a student-athlete in each college.

The men's golf program was recognized with this year's team academic award.

Top of the Class Awards

Claire Kovarik, Women’s Cross Country / Track & Field, Chemistry

Keegan Maris, Women’s Soccer, Nursing

Rylee Cookerly, Volleyball, Nursing

Dean’s Awards

Maddie Henry, Softball, College of Arts & Sciences

Caleb VanArragon, Men’s Golf, College of Arts & Sciences

Keegan Maris, Women’s Soccer, College of Nursing and Health Professions

David Engstrom, Men’s Track & Field, College of Engineering

Emily Baur, Valpo Dance Team

Relevant Links

President Padilla Opening Remarks

Laurel Award Winner Keegan Maris Remarks

Mark LaBarbera Closing Remarks

Presidential Academic Honors Awards

Baseball

Keegan Bates

Jeremy Drudge

Colin Fields

Grant Jablonski

Ryan Klainos

Ryan Mintz

Nolan Tucker

Trent Turzenski

Men’s Basketball

Ben Krikke

Football

Cade Bishop

Aaron Byrd

Alex Conlin

David Drs

Doug Haugh

Jacob Marinelli

Austin Martins

Ben Niesner

Ben Nimz

Brendan O’Doherty

Drew Parrish

Carter Puckett

Ollie Reese

Kohlton Sherman

Trey Stablein

Gavin Twigg

Men’s Golf

Drew Alexander

Brett Seward

Charlie Toman

Caleb VanArragon

Men’s Soccer

Junta Callahan

Jonas Engler

Ethan  Norton

Men’s Swimming

Gus Rytting

Men’s Tennis

Oscar Mendoza

Men’s Cross Country / Track & Field

Eric Carothers

Emanuel Daggett

David  Engstrom

Brian Hughes

Jared Humphrey

Eddie Juszczak

Will Maidment

William Neupert

Cameron Sheehy

Alek Trafton

Nate Izewski

Noah Vanderhei

Women’s Basketball

Ella Ellenson

Shay Frederick

Zoe MacKay Zacker

Caitlin Morrison

Carie Weinman

Bowling

Payton Bertermann

Noelle Doody

Hannah Forton

Allura Magsino

Sam Perez

Jess Soskich

Mirica Yancey

Women’s Cross Country / Track & Field

Claire Kovarik

Anna Neal

Olivia Recker

Hayley Krulik

Michelle Pierce

Women’s Golf

Kelsey Eichenauer

Payton Hodson

Morgan Kier

Maddison Murphy

Cailey Rooker

Shelby Schier

Softball

Brittany Anderson

Ashley Barker

Katelyn Beckemeyer

Addi Burke

Madison Henry

Lauren Kehlenbrink

Taylor Knight

Ryan Milkowski

Peyton Moeder

Easton Seib

Taylor Tonoian

Jaina    Westphal

Women’s Soccer

Kiley Dugan

Peyton Flynn

Natalie Graf

Sam Guido

Katie Hansen

Keegan Maris

Tahelah Noel

Nicole Norfolk

Elizabeth Park

Kiera Pratt

Lauren Torhorst

Kerry Slaga

Women’s Swimming

Katie Craig

Ella Frangopoulos

Trieste Lindahl

Sophie Morelock

Chiara Robinson

Mariah Sturdivant

Maddie Wilson

Women’s Tennis

Claire Czerwonka

Olivia Czerwonka

Demi Jhaveri

Isabella Schoolcraft

Amanda Tabanera

Volleyball

Brittany Anderson (also listed under softball)

Maddy Boyer

Jaclyn Bulmahn

Rylee Cookerly

Aly Cummings

MaKayla Geise

Jillie Grant

Haley Hart

Bella Ravotto

Cheerleading

Travis  Darnell

Natalia Roder

Becca Wireman

Dance Team

Emily Baur

Alyse Blaszczynski

Jillian O'Connell