University of St. Thomas Athletics
2022-23 Tommie Choice award winners announced
5/9/2023 12:23:00 PM | Athletics
St. Paul, Minn. -- The second-annual Tommie Choice Awards were presented this week on campus at the OEC Auditorium. A packed house of St. Thomas student-athletes celebrated some of the many positive stories and feats of the 2022-23 school year in Tommie athletics.
Here are the award winners recognized for 2022-23:
Athlete of the Year – Men's Teams
· Andrew Rohde – M. Basketball
(Other finalists: Matt Armstrong – M. Golf, Cade Sexauer – Football, Sam May – M. Track & Field)
Athlete of the Year – Women's Teams
· Molly Desotell – W. Cross Country
(Other finalists: Grace Urkiel – W. Swimming & Diving, Mariah Nguyen – W. Soccer, Marthe Degeorges – W. Tennis)
First-Year of the Year – Men's Teams
· Aaron Trotter – M. Hockey
(Other finalists: Andrew Rohde – M. Basketball, Oliver Bieleveldt – M. Soccer, Philip Jensen – M. Swimming & Diving)
First-Year of the Year – Women's Team
· Avery Wukawitz – Softball
(Other finalists: Emma Goerger – W. Volleyball, Olivia Keller – W. Track & Field, Caroline Monty – W. Golf)
Coach of the Year – Men's Team
· Matt Rachey – M. Golf
(Other finalists: John Tauer – M. Basketball, Glenn Caruso – Football)
Coach of the Year – Women's Team
· Joel Johnson – W. Hockey
(Other finalists: Jen Trotter – Softball, Katie Hanneman – W. Golf)
Team Academic Award – Women's Teams
· Softball
(Other finalists: W. Golf, W. Soccer, W. Cross Country)
Team Academic Award – Men's Teams
· M. Cross Country
(Other finalists: Football, M. Track & Field, M. Hockey)
Individual Academic Awards
Baseball: Bryce Leedle
Cheer: Lily Betros
Dance: Elizabeth Yung
Football: Seth Bickett
Men's Basketball: Dom Martinelli
Men's Cross Country: Tony Weeks
Men's Golf: Matthew Raab
Men's Hockey: Andrew Kangas
Men's Soccer: Wes Lorrens
Men's Swimming and Diving: Will Goldman
Men's Track and Field: Jack Rosner
Softball: Mackenzie Rudy
Volleyball: Ellie Dammann
Women's Basketball: Phoebe Frentzel
Women's Cross Country: Ava Pankratz
Women's Golf: Sophia Dooman
Women's Hockey: Maija Almich
Women's Soccer: Annie Bantner
Women's Swimming and Diving: Caroline Peterson
Women's Tennis: Monterey Knewtson
Women's Track and Field: Lauren Ellefson
Team Community Service Award – Women's Team
· W. Soccer
(Other finalists: W. Cross Country, W. Swimming & Diving, Softball)
Team Community Service Award – Men's Team
· M. Soccer
(Other finalists: M. Cross Country/Track & Field, Football, M. Swimming & Diving)
Individual Community Service Award – Women's Team
· Annika Eckroth – W. Soccer
(Other finalists: Megan West – W. Swimming & Diving, Claudia Stone – W. Swimming & Diving, Annie Bantner – W. Soccer)
Individual Community Service Award – Men's Team
· Will Burke – Football
(Other finalists: Isaac Alberts – M. Swimming & Diving, AJ Carollo – M. Swimming & Diving, Julien Yung – M. Swimming & Diving)
Best Moment or Play of the Year
· Football's road win vs. Butler to secure the outright Pioneer Football League Championship and finish the season 10-1.
Other finalists:
- Maddy Clough's Game clinching goal vs #7 ranked Minnesota Duluth (First DI win vs. nationally ranked opponent).
· Avery Wukawitz's homerun to break a tie during a big win against Wisconsin (First Power 5 win).
· M. Soccer's 0-0 tie vs. perennial power Denver.
Best Record-Breaking Performance
· Football's Luke Glenna's 23 tackles against defending conference champion Davidson.
Other finalists:
- W. Cross Country/Track and Field's Molly Desotell's 21:28 breaks the school record in the 6K at the Bradley Pink Classic. She broke a second record during the indoor season posting a 9:44.85 in the 3K at the SDSU Indoor Track Invite.
- M. Track and Field's Sam May set the school record in the heptathlon, which ranked him #77 in the country at the DI level.
- Tucker Mann of M. Soccer made a DI era best 12 saves against Denver in a 0-0 tie. Selected to two National Teams of the Week and Summit League Peak Performer of the Week.
Comeback Athlete of the Year – Women's Teams
· Alicia Belany – W. Track and Field
(Other finalist: Naisha Srivastav – W. Tennis)
Support Staff Employee of the Year
· Bryce Riege, Asst. Director, Athletic Events
(Other finalists: Nancy Swanholm - Asst. Director, Development, Collin Boyles - Asst. Director, Athletic Communications, Kaylee Hentges - Asst. Director, Compliance)
Summit Club Award
(Given to the S/A that embodies everything we expect from a Tommie)
· Ellie Dammann – Volleyball
(Other finalists: Maija Almich – W. Hockey, Grace Bennett – Softball, Alex Balfour – W. Soccer)
Julie Sullivan Campus Partner of the Year
· Jim Brummer, Vice President, Facilities Management
