Nebraska Athletics celebrated its top student-athletes on April 24 during A Night at the Lied. Several College of Education and Human Sciences students were recognized for outstanding performances in competition, classroom and community outreach over the past 12 months.
Nutrition and Health Sciences student Dylan LeClair (Men's Gymnastics) won one of the most coveted awards at the 32nd annual event, 2021-22 Male Student-Athlete of the Year, by a vote of the faculty members of the Intercollegiate Athletic Committee.
LeClair is the eighth Husker gymnast to be named Male Student-Athlete of the Year and the fourth in the last five seasons. LeClair has been in the lineup for the past three seasons, helping the Huskers to a trio of NCAA Finals appearances, including a fourth-place finish in 2022. This season he has competed in every event for the Huskers, including a pair of appearances in the all-around. He led the Huskers off in five events at the NCAA Championships earlier this month. He has been a standout in the community and in the classroom during his career. A seven-time NU Scholar-Athlete Honor Roll member, he is a three-time Collegiate Gymnastics Association All-America Scholar-Athlete and a three-time Academic All-Big Ten selection. He was named to the Tom Osborne Citizenship team on three occasions and was a Sam Foltz 27 Hero Leadership Award recipient in 2021.
Three student-athletes in CEHS received the Outstanding Scholar Award, which is presented to student-athletes in their final season of eligibility or who are graduating next month while carrying a 3.90 or better GPA. Those recognized were Nutrition and Health Sciences students Natalie Cooke (Soccer) and Hannah Young (Soccer), and elementary education and special education (K-6) student Kirsten Baete (Women’s Golf).
Communication sciences and disorders student Karlee Seevers (Softball) was one of three student-athletes recognized by the Life Skills program with its most prestigious individual award, the Heart & Soul Award. The award recognizes student-athletes who have consistently gone above and beyond with community service and outreach initiatives throughout their college career. Ben Stille (Football), who earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Nutrition and Health Sciences , was also honored with a Heart & Soul Award.
The Sam Foltz 27 Hero Leadership Award, named in honor of the late Husker punter Sam Foltz, was presented to 27 student-athletes across all sports who exhibit strong leadership qualities, commitment to service and ability to encourage/empower peers. Below are the CEHS students honored with this award:
- Olivia Ferrell (Softball), Educational Administration
- Jessica Gardner (Women’s Track and Field)– Nutrition and Health Sciences
- Kendyl Hofmeister (Bowling), secondary education
- Maddie Holland (Women’s Track and Field)– Nutrition and Health Sciences
- Gwen Maeha (Bowling), elementary education
- Matt Masker (Football), Nutrition and Health Sciences
- Madesyn Ronquillio (Swimming and Diving), Nutrition and Health Sciences
