BILLINGS, Mont. – Unveiling its next group of Buzzie award winners on Thursday, the Montana State University Billings athletic department announced its major award winners.
 
2021 Buzzies Athletic Department Awards

Award	Winner	Sport	Year
Freshman of the Year	Brie Frazier	Softball	Freshman
Newcomer of the Year	Cariann Kunkel	Women's Basketball	Junior
Breakout Player of the Year	Kailee Stoppel	Women's Track & Field	Junior
Comeback Player of the Year	Beau Ackerman	Men's Track & Field	Senior
Game/Event of the Year	Men's Golf	Men's Golf	--
Moment/Play of the Year	Addison Gardner	Women's Basketball	Junior
SAAC Award (Female)	Shannon Reny	Women's Basketball	Junior
SAAC Award (Male)	Mason Powell	Baseball	Sophomore
Scholar Athlete of the Year	Brenna Beckett	Women's Track & Field	Senior
Fan of the Year	Stefani Hicswa	Chancellor	--
Student Worker of the Year	Rachel Gunderson	--	--

2021 Buzzies Release Schedule
Tuesday, June 8 – Women's Team Player of the Year awards
Wednesday, June 9 – Men's Team Player of the Year awards
Thursday, June 10 – Department-wide awards
Friday, June 11 – Male & Female Athlete of the Year, Coach of the Year, Team of the Year
 

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Freshman of the Year: Brie Frazier, Softball
Nominees: Ethan Babcock-Barrie, Baseball; Jordan Cookman, Women's Track & Field; Brie Frazier; Softball; Kennedy Juranek, Volleyball; Mathias Kjølner, Men's Soccer; Payden Lynn, Men's Track & Field; Kortney Nelson, Women's Basketball; Jordan Roe, Women's Soccer.
 
About the award: The Buzzie for Freshman of the Year is awarded to the first-year collegiate athlete who is adjudged to have made the most profound impact on his or her athletic team within the course of the season.
 
Bursting onto the scene in her collegiate debut season, Brie Frazier solidified herself both at the top of the Yellowjackets' lineup and in center field at Avitus Group Stadium. Frazier hit .321 with five doubles and six RBIs, while leading the team in at-bats with 109, stolen bases with five, and hits with 35. Frazier also led the GNAC in sacrifice bunts with nine, and was a second-team all-conference selection.


 
While Frazier's production at the plate – hitting in either the leadoff or No. 2 spot in the order – was notable for a first-year player, it was her defense that separated her into a finalist for the GNAC Freshman of the Year honor. Beyond her stellar fielding percentage of .961 – with just three errors in 76 chances – Frazier had a knack for the spectacular catch and dramatic throw from the outfield. She had five assists from center field, including twice throwing runners out at home plate, and made numerous leaping and diving catches to rob the opposition of extra-base hits.


 
Other Nominees: Many of MSUB's teams boasted strong-performing freshmen throughout the spring season.
 
Ethan Babcock-Barrie, Baseball – Babcock-Barrie hit .357 in 28 at-bats including a pair of home runs while seeing action in 11 games in his debut on the diamond.
 
Jordan Cookman, Women's Track & Field – Cookman broke the school record in the javelin in her first collegiate meet, and never looked back as she steadily improved on the mark throughout the spring. Her season-best throw of 129-2 feet – the school record – was achieved in her first-ever Great Northwest Athletic Conference Championships appearance.
 
Kennedy Juranek, Volleyball – Injuries limited the freshman defensive specialist to just five sets played during the abbreviated spring, but her rate of 5.20 digs per set ranked her highest on the team. The 'Jacket spikers will eagerly look forward to having Juranek at full health for the fall season.
 
Mathias Kjølner, Men's Soccer – The 'Jacket men played just two matches, but that was enough to see that Kjølner was the real deal slotting in on the back line. He was 1 of 7 players to start both spring matches, and he averaged 80 solid minutes per game in MSUB's 1-0-1 spring season.
 
Payden Lynn, Men's Track & Field – In his first collegiate season, Lynn had his hand in a little bit of everything and earned indoor all-region in the high jump and long jump, and outdoor all-region in the javelin.
 
Kortney Nelson, Women's Basketball – Nelson had a dozen rebounds in her first collegiate game and quickly established herself as a key contributor in her first season. The tough competitor averaged 5.8 rebounds and was limited to five games due to injury.
 
Jordan Roe, Women's Soccer – Roe led the team in scoring with three goals, including two game-winners. The Billings native also had an assist for seven total points, and started all nine matches as she hinted the start of a productive four-year career with her hometown university.
 
History: Frazier is the seventh player in school history to earn the freshman of the year award and is the second softball player as she joined 2017 winner and 2020 graduate Maddy Lincoln. Because athletes are only eligible to be nominated for the award once, there are no multi-time winners or nominees for this award.

All-Time Freshman of the Year

Year	Winner	Sport	Hometown	Other Nominees
2014	Rio Frame	Women's Cross Country	Glendive, MT	Alisha Breen, Marc Matthews, Morgan Opp, Bella Rovens, Ashlynn Ward
2015	Sammy Walter	Women's Golf	Billings, MT	Cameron Cassinelli, Kendall Denham, Brianna Gray, Rylee Kane, Jorge Paez, Ricquel Ramsbottom, Jessica Spang
2016	Preston Beverly	Men's Basketball	Wildomar, CA	Kortney McNeil, Kaelen Shay, Janessa Williams, Jared Winslow, Alycia Wright
2017	Maddy Lincoln	Softball	Olympia, WA	Chuck Carr, Caje Golden, JD Hauenstein, Amanda Hemmen, Michaela Johnson, Caleb Statzner, Faith Taylor
2018	Izela Alvarez	Volleyball	Dumas, TX	Luca Battistotti, Hannah Collins, Lamont Frisby, Allie Hughes, Zharon Richmond, Wyatt Setian, Caleb Trost
2019	Brendan Howard	Men's Basketball	Great Falls, MT	Ase Ackerman, Rylan Austin, Sierra Durbin, Tierney Messmer, Cassidy O'Dell, Kyle Patelis, Andres Perez, Skylar Reed, Taryn Shelley, Kailee Stoppel, Brooks Zimmer
2020	Not Awarded (COVID-19)
2021	Brie Frazier	Softball	Nine Mile Falls, WA	Ethan Babcock-Barrie, Jordan Cookman, Kennedy Juranek, Mathias Kjolner, Payden Lynn, Kortney Nelson, Jordan Roe

Most Wins: 1, 7 With | Most Nominations: 1, Many With
 

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Newcomer of the Year: Cariann Kunkel, Women's Basketball
Nominees: Carson Green, Baseball; Cariann Kunkel, Women's Basketball; Brad Lowes, Men's Soccer; Dawson Strobel, Men's Golf: Ashley Tiffin, Women's Soccer; Carrington Wiggins, Men's Basketball.
 
About the award: The Newcomer of the Year award is given to the first-year, non-freshman athlete adjudged to have made the most profound impact on his or her athletic team within the course of the season. To be eligible for the award, an athlete must be in their first season with their team (excluding freshmen).
 
Named the Women's Basketball Player of the Year, Kunkel likely would have been an all-GNAC selection had the conference office handed out awards during the abbreviated 2020-21 season. The junior transfer from Wenatchee Valley College averaged 14.0 points and a team-high 7.5 rebounds while starting all eight of MSUB's games during the brief 2021 season.
 
Kunkel's 32.8 minutes per game were most on the team, and she shot 47.6 percent overall from the floor. She also led the squad in assists with 33 and steals with 13, and completed her first double-double on February 26 against Northwest Nazarene.


 
Other Nominees: A total of six first-year Yellowjackets, who each had a significant impact on their team during the season, were nominated for the award.
 
Carson Green, Baseball – Green didn't arrive on MSUB's campus until the spring semester began in January, 2021, but he immediately became a rock in the No. 2 spot in the team's lineup. Green hit .268 with four home runs and 22 RBIs, while starting 36 of 40 games playing in a utility role both in the infield and outfield.
 
Brad Lowes, Men's Soccer – The British international became an integral part of MSUB's midfield unit in his debut on the team and figures to be a player the squad will build around for the upcoming fall campaign.
 
Dawson Strobel, Men's Golf – A key contributor throughout the men's golf team's historic season, Strobel brought his talents from North Idaho College to the Yellowjacket program. He averaged 78.44 strokes per round, and tied for sixth place at the South Dakota Mines Hardrocker Invitational.
 
Ashley Tiffin, Women's Soccer – Tiffin battled through injuries during the 2021 spring season and made a profound impact slotting into MSUB's defensive unit. The 5-foot-9 center back transfer from Saddleback College is projected to be a key fixture in the team's upcoming fall season.
 
Carrington Wiggins, Men's Basketball – While the Yellowjackets played just two exhibition games in 2021, they discovered the full range of talents from Wiggins who transferred from Mott Community College. His breakout performance was a 17-point contribution on 7-for-12 shooting in MSUB's decisive 73-56 road win at Rocky Mountain College.
 
History: Kunkel is the seventh athlete in school history to claim the newcomer of the year award and is the second women's basketball player joining inaugural award winner Chelsea Banis (2014). Similar to the freshman of the year award, an athlete is only eligible for nomination for the newcomer award once.

All-Time Newcomer of the Year

Year	Winner	Sport	Class	Hometown	Other Nominees
2014	Chelsea Banis	Women's Basketball	Senior	Fairfield, MT	Austin Hudson, Jonathan Mesghna, Jake Mills, Kevin Toon
2015	Kari Kastelic	Women's Soccer	Sophomore	Phoenix, AZ	Santiago de la Rosa Mora, Nocona Frame, Momir Gataric, Rhys Lambert, Corey Morris
2016	Ricardo Palomino	Men's Soccer	Sophomore	Puebla, Mexico	Tiana Hanson, Della Lyle, Michael Porter, Nikki Tiffany, Matt Winter
2017	Julien Dragomir	Men's Soccer	Senior	Scottsdale, AZ	Jalen Garcia, Casey Rich, Grace Weeks
2018	Kaleo Johnson	Baseball	Junior	Alameda, CA	Kelsee Bushell, Rachel Koehler, Hannah Nessan, Zack Rollins, Mason Schram
2019	Daniel Cipriano	Baseball	Junior	Aguora Hills, CA	Samuele Folla, Jolene House, Melvin Newbern Jr.
2020	Not Awarded (COVID-19)
2021	Cariann Kunkel	Women's Basketball	Junior	Hamilton, MT	Carson Green, Brad Lowes, Dawson Strobel, Ashley Tiffin, Carrington Wiggins

Most Wins: 1, 7 With | Most Nominations: 1, Many With
 

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Breakout Player of the Year: Kailee Stoppel, Women's Track & Field
Nominees: Ase Ackerman, Men's Track & Field; Lexie Bloyder, Women's Soccer; Tanner Cantwell, Baseball; Addison Gardner, Women's Basketball; Avery Gill, Women's Golf; Hailee Gregerson, Softball; Kevin Kolb, Men's Golf; Bryan Maxwell, Men's Soccer; Skylar Reed, Volleyball; Kailee Stoppel, Women's Track & Field
 
About the award: The Breakout Player of the Year award is given to the athlete adjudged to have made the most profound improvement in performance from the previous season. The award is typically reserved for an athlete who goes from being an average or minor contributor to a top performer or team leader the following season. An athlete must be in at least their second season in the program to be eligible for this award.
 
Not only was Stoppel the team's top distance performer during the 2021 season, but her breakout campaign carried significant historical impact on the track and field program as well. Stoppel had four personal-best marks during the 2021 season, all of which landed her in the top-10 in program history in those events.
 
Stoppel sealed her case for Breakout Player of the Year at the 2021 GNAC Championships, where she ran the second-fastest 3,000-meter steeple chase time in school history. Her mark of 11:17.82 minutes was second only to 2016 All-American Della Lyle. Stoppel's other marks that landed her name in the school record books included the seventh-fastest 1,500-meter time at 4:56.66 minutes, the eighth-fastest 5,000-meter time at 18:54.55 minutes, and the ninth-fastest indoor mile time at 5:33.15 minutes. She earned three indoor all-region awards and was selected as the Buzzie winner for Women's Cross Country Runner of the Year.
 
Other Nominees: A highly-competitive award category, 10 total Yellowjackets were up for consideration for breakout player of the year.
 
Ase Ackerman, Men's Track & Field – The Buzzie award winner as Men's Cross Country Runner of the Year, Ackerman had the team's best marks in four categories including the 800 meters, 1,500-meters, and 5k during the spring season.
 
Lexie Bloyder, Women's Soccer – The Billings native broke out as one of the team's top offensive threats, scoring a pair of goals and starting all nine games up top during the shortened spring season.


 
Tanner Cantwell, Baseball – Cantwell saved his best season for last, earning second-team all-GNAC after hitting 10 home runs, driving in 34, and batting .321 while starting all 40 games for the Yellowjackets.
 
Addison Gardner, Women's Basketball – Gardner emerged into a team leader in her third year in the program, starting 7 of 8 games and averaging 6.6 points and 4.0 rebounds including reaching double figures in scoring three times.
 
Avery Gill, Women's Golf – The team's second-leading scorer at 82.75 strokes per round, Gill earned second-team all-GNAC in a season that was highlighted by a tie for first place at the South Dakota Mines Hardrocker Invitational.
 
Hailee Gregerson, Softball – Like Cantwell, Gregerson saved her best collegiate season for last as she ranked third on the team in home runs with seven and RBIs with 21, and batted .263 while starting 32 games in right field.


 
Kevin Kolb, Men's Golf – After playing in just two events during his first season in 2019-20, Kolb quickly became a key factor in leading the Yellowjackets to their first-ever regional. He earned second-team all-GNAC, and won the Hardrocker Invitational.
 
Bryan Maxwell, Men's Soccer – The Buzzie winner for Men's Soccer Player of the Year, Maxwell made the most of the team's two-game season playing stellar defense and scoring the game-winner in MSUB's lone win of the season at Rocky.


 
Skylar Reed, Volleyball – While Reed has been a key player since arriving in the program in the fall of 2018, her breakout 2021 spring season – during which she led the squad with 3.32 kills per set – has the program excited about what is to come in the fall of 2021.


 
History: Stoppel is the eighth Yellowjacket to win the Breakout Player of the Year award, the first women's track and field athlete and the second track athlete overall as she joins 2018 winner Beau Ackerman. While technically possible throughout the course of a career to be nominated twice for the honor, no athlete has ever won or been nominated for the award more than once.

All-Time Breakout Player of the Year

Year	Winner	Sport	Class	Hometown	Other Nominees
2013	Jarrell Crayton	Men's Basketball	Senior	Bellevue, NE	Clint Choquette, Kyndal Williams
2014	Austin Hanser	Women's Basketball	Senior	Billings, MT	Mary Conwell, Katlyn Lokay, Robert Peterson
2015	Myles Berkram	Baseball	Sophomore	Billings, MT	Jace Anderson, Alisha Breen, Krystal Daniels, Emily Paffhausen, Josh Panasuk, Bella Rovens, Ashlynn Ward
2016	Marissa Van Atta	Women's Basketball	Sophomore	Billings, MT	Adam Cox, Emmanuel Johnson, Myrissa Prince, Jessica Spang
2017	Kamal Tall	Men's Basketball	Junior	Leuven, Belgium	Megan Dettling, Jordan Devoto, Shealyn Hafer, Joe Scott
2018	Beau Ackerman	Men's Track	Junior	Glendive, MT	Amanda Barham, Alexa Iacolucci, Andrew Schleusner, Vanessa Stavish, Eli Williams
2019	Landon Peterson	Baseball	Senior	Boise, ID	Ivan Colmenero, Ignacio Crespo, Forrest Cross, Taylor Cunningham, Tyler Green, Renae Heisler, Riley Kaercher, Madison Kelly, Miranda Livingston, Hailey Steinbeisser, Claire Tevaseu
2020	Not Awarded (COVID-19)
2021	Kailee Stoppel	Women's Track	Junior	Billings, MT	Ase Ackerman, Lexie Bloyder, Tanner Cantwell, Addison Gardner, Avery Gill, Hailee Gregerson, Kevin Kolb, Bryan Maxwell, Skylar Reed

Most Wins: 1, 8 With | Most Nominations: 1, Many With
 

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Comeback Player of the Year: Beau Ackerman, Men's Track & Field
Nominees: Beau Ackerman, Men's Track & Field; Emily Gaines, Women's Soccer
 
About the award: The Comeback Player of the Year award is given to the athlete who missed the previous season due to injury or some other circumstance, who is adjudged to have returned to the field and made the most profound impact on their team. An athlete must be in at least their second season with their team and must have been injured during the immediately previous season of competition to be eligible for this award.
 
The Men's Track & Field Athlete of the Year and a finalist for Male Athlete of the Year, Beau Ackerman placed fourth at the NCAA D2 Championships in the javelin to earn All-American status for the second time in his career. He was named the GNAC Men's Track & Field Athlete of the Year and the USTFCCCA West Region Athlete of the Year as well.
 
After taking fifth at nationals in 2018, Ackerman underwent multiple surgeries on his arm as well as his knee to address injuries inhibiting his event. The procedures cost Ackerman the entire 2019 outdoor season, and with the 2020 season being canceled due to the coronavirus pandemic he had not thrown competitively for three years prior to his record-breaking 2021 season.
 
Other Nominees: A limited number of contests and performers returning from injury resulted in just two nominees for this award.
 
Emily Gaines, Women's Soccer – After overcoming a major knee injury that cost her the majority of her 2019 fall season, Gaines played her way into a key role on the squad during the modified 2021 campaign. The midfielder scored her first collegiate goal and added an assist, while playing in all nine of the team's games and starting three.


 
History: Ackerman is the sixth athlete to win this award since it was established at the 2016 Buzzies. He is the first men's track and field athlete, and no athlete has been nominated for the award more than once during their career.

All-Time Comeback Player of the Year

Year	Winner	Sport	Class	Hometown	Other Nominees
2016	Janiel Olson	Women's Basketball	Senior	Billings, MT	Bryon Baker, Elizabeth Howard, Garret Robinson
2017	Jace Anderson	Men's Basketball	Senior	Whitewater, MT	Casey Merritt
2018	Alisha Breen	Women's Basketball	Senior	Choteau, MT	Kade Hall, Tom Lohmann, Taylor Sherman
2019	Tyler Green	Men's Basketball	Junior	Redding, CA	Matt Dillon, Ricardo Palomino
2020	Maddy Lincoln	Softball	Senior	Olympia, WA	Alexa Iacolucci, Shantik Bedrosian, Will Heward, Emily Gaines
2021	Beau Ackerman	Men's Track & Field	Senior	Glendive, MT	Emily Gaines

Most Wins: 1, 5 With | Most Nominations: 1, Many With
 

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Game/Event of the Year: Men's Golf places fifth at first-ever regional championships
Nominees:
Baseball – Blake Tritch threw an 8-inning, complete-game victory in 4-1 win over Saint Martin's (April 23, 2021)
Men's Golf – Placed fifth at first-ever NCAA regional championship (May 8, 2021)
Men's Track – Records fell and provisional marks were hit at home meet (April 1, 2021)
Softball – 'Jackets completed a comeback w/6-run seventh inning (April 11, 2021)
Volleyball – 'Jackets beat Rocky in a 5-set thriller (March 10, 2021)
Women's Basketball – 'Jackets topped Warriors 82-81 in overtime thriller (February 13, 2021)
Women's Soccer – MSUB ended season with 1-0 win over Carroll College (April 11, 2021)
Women's Golf – Yellowjackets won Hardrocker Invitational (April 12-13, 2021)
 
About the award: The Game/Event of the Year award is given to the performance adjudged to have been most impactful, significant, or profound during the course of the year. Historical context and postseason play are among the factors considered when evaluating nominees.
 
Qualifying for the NCAA West/South Central Regional Championships for the first time in school history, MSUB's men's golf team put itself on the national map with its 2021 performance. The Yellowjackets started the regional championship on fire with a first-round score of 284, and were in first place after Day 1 of the event. The team overcame a tough second round of 308, and rallied to place fifth by finishing with a third-round score of 291.
 
While the Yellowjackets' performance earned it Game/Event of the Year, the team missed out on qualifying for the national championships by a single stroke as it finished with a three-round score of 883 to fall behind fourth-place Colorado State-Pueblo (882) by one.

Other Nominees: Click the links above to read about the other nominees for the Game/Event of the Year award.
 
History: This is the first-ever Game/Event of the Year award for the MSUB men's golf team and it is the team's first-ever nomination. MSUB's women's basketball team has the most wins with four and most nominations with five.

All-Time Game/Event of the Year
2013 – Women's Basketball defeats NCAA Division I opponent Montana State (Dec. 29, 2012)
2014 – Women's Basketball defeats Alaska Fairbanks 104-77 to clinch GNAC regular-season title (Feb. 27, 2014)
2015 – Volleyball upsets No. 11 Western Washington in five sets at home for first-ever program win over Vikings (Sept. 27, 2014)
2016 – Men's Soccer posts 3-2 comeback win after being down 2-0 at halftime, and playing down a man on MSUB Kicks Cancer Day (Oct. 17, 2015)
2017 - Men's Basketball beats #19 WWU on the road (Dec. 31, 2016)
2018 - Women's Basketball beats #13 Alaska Anchorage to win NCAA D2 West Region Title (March 12, 2018)
2019 - Baseball Jarrod Molnaa threw the first 9-inning shutout in the GNAC (March 24, 2019)
2020 - Women's Basketball Jeanann Lemelin set MSUB school record with 10 made 3-pointers in win over SPU (February 22, 2020)
2021 - Men's Golf placed fifth at first-ever NCAA Regional Championship (May 8, 2021)

Most Wins: 4, Women's Basketball.
Most Nominations: 5, Women's Basketball.
 

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Moment/Play of the Year: Addison Gardner hits a game-winning, buzzer-beating, overtime 3-pointer
Nominees:
Baseball – Daniel Cipriano broke the MSUB baseball career home run record (March 6, 2021)
Men's Golf – Garrett Woodin placed 23rd in first-ever NCAA Championship (May 19, 2021)
Men's Soccer – Bryan Maxwell scored the game-winning goal in the 80th minute (February 24, 2021)
Men's Track – Beau Ackerman broke the school record, set GNAC meet record in javelin (May 16, 2021)
Women's Basketball – Addison Gardner hit a buzzer-beating 3-pointer for OT victory (February 13, 2021)
Women's Golf – Sydney Rochford recorded a career-low round on final day of season at GNAC (April 20, 2021)
Softball – Brittanee Fisher hit a walk-off home run to complete a doubleheader sweep (March 2, 2021)
Volleyball – Maddi Vigil had a career-high 33 digs in season-closing 5-set win over Carroll (March 30, 2021)
Women's Soccer – Clare Keenan made a triple-save on penalty kick in win over Minot State (April 3, 2021)
Women's Track – Kendall Lynn broke the school record in triple jump (May 6, 2021)

About this award: The Moment/Play of the Year award is given to the individual or team adjudged to have had the most significant, impactful, or profound single play or moment within the context of an event or game during the year. Context within the course of the game and historical context are factors considered when evaluating nominees.
 
Simply put, the most thrilling, dramatic, and exciting single moment of the season came on February 13 in the Yellowjackets' road game at Lewis-Clark State. With MSUB trailing the Warriors 81-79 and just four seconds left in overtime, point guard Skylar Patton received the inbound pass and tip-toed dangerously close to the baseline before finding junior Addison Gardner on the far wing. Her 3-point shot was released just before the final buzzer, and when it swished through the net she had given her team an improbable and dramatic comeback victory.


 
Gardner's last-second make prompted an emotional celebration on the court, and she reflected on the moment as her first-ever buzzer-beating shot in her basketball career.
 
Other Nominees: Click the links above to read about the other nominees for the Moment/Play of the Year award.
 
History: Gardner is the ninth overall award winner in this category and the second individual women's basketball player to win, joining 2018 winner Rylee Kane. Robert Peterson and Bella Rovens are tied for the most nominations in this category with two apiece.

All-Time Moment/Play of the Year
2013 – Men's Basketball Sam Johnson's dunk that was featured on ESPN SportsCenter Top Plays (Dec. 17, 2012)
2014 – Women's Basketball come-from-behind 60-59 win over Academy of Art in NCAA West Region first round (March 14, 2014)
2015 – Antoine Hosley sets GNAC single-game record with 50 points on Senior Night (Feb. 28, 2015)
2016 – Scott Larson hits hole-in-one on first collegiate stroke (Sept. 14, 2015)
2017 - Marc Matthews Game-Winning 3-pointer at home over Alaska Anchorage (Jan. 12, 2017)
2018 – Rylee Kane clinches NCAA D2 West Region title with two free throws against Alaska Anchorage (March 12, 2018)
2019 - Alyssa Etheridge throws the first no-hitter in school history (March 8, 2019)
2020 - Tyler Green hits game winning buzzer shot against Central Washington 92-91 (January 11, 2020)
2021 - Addison Gardner hits a game-winning, buzzer-beating 3-pointer in overtime for an 82-81 win (February 13, 2021)

Most Wins: 1, 8 With.
Most Nominations: 2, Robert Peterson, Bella Rovens.
 

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Student-Athlete Advisory Committee Awards: Shannon Reny, Women's Basketball; Mason Powell, Baseball
Nominees: Shannon Reny, Women's Basketball; Mason Powell, Baseball
 
About the award: The Student-Athlete Advisory Committee awards one male and one female member an award for outstanding dedication, service, and commitment to the group during the course of an academic year. The individuals must be active SAAC members who display leadership and initiative within the scope of the organization. There is no limit to the number of times an athlete can be nominated for this award.
 
Shannon Reny, the SAAC president, and Mason Powell, the vice president, were selected as the organization's most outstanding participants during the 2020-21 academic year. The purpose of the MSUB SAAC is to advise and provide input to the Athletics administrative staff into the operation of the Yellowjacket Athletics program. NCAA Division II Bylaw 2.2.6 states, "It is the responsibility of each member institution to involve student-athletes in matters that affect their lives." Involvement in the SAAC helps us implement this principle.


 
History: Reny is the eighth female to win the award and Powell is the eighth male to win the honor. Abbie Lohof has the most women's wins with two and Kyle McLaughlin has the most men's wins with two as well.

All-Time Student-Athlete Advisory Committee Award - Male

Year	Winner	Sport	Class	Hometown	Other Nominees
2013	Navin Marimuthu	Men's Tennis	Senior	Chennai, India	None
2014	Kavindu Gamage	Men's Tennis	Senior	Melbourne, Australia	None
2015	Cameron Stanek	Men's Track & Field	Junior	Casper, WY	None
2016	Cameron Lee	Men's Soccer	Senior	Cape Town, South Africa	None
2017	Jacob Marshall	Men's XC/Track	Senior	Seward, AK	None
2018	Scott Larson	Men's Golf	Junior	Kalispell, MT	None
2019	Kyle McLaughlin	Men's Track & Field	Junior	Belgrade, MT	None
2020	Kyle McLaughlin	Men's Track & Field	Senior	Belgrade, MT	None
2021	Mason Powell	Baseball	Sophomore	Gillette, WY	None

Most Wins: 2, Kyle McLaughlin | Most Nominations: 2, Kyle McLaughlin

All-Time Student-Athlete Advisory Committee Award - Female

Year	Winner	Sport	Class	Hometown	Other Nominees
2013	Jody Lutz	Volleyball	Senior	Dugald, Manitoba	None
2014	Jackie Hill	Women's Soccer	Senior	Boise, ID	None
2015	Aubrey Conceicao	Softball	Senior	Temecula, CA	None
2016	Blair Street	Women's Track & Field	Senior	Clyde Park, MT	None
2017	Dana Lubieniecki	Women's Soccer	Senior	Lakewood, CO	None
2018	Abbie Lohof	Women's Track & Field	Sophomore	Laurel, MT	None
2019	Abbie Lohof	Women's Track & Field	Junior	Laurel, MT	None
2020	Kalin Sandow	Women's Soccer	Senior	Murrieta, CA	None
2021	Shannon Reny	Women's Basketball	Junior	Libby, MT	None

Most Wins: 2, Abbie Lohof | Most Nominations: 2, Abbie Lohof


 

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Scholar Athlete of the Year: Brenna Beckett, Women's Track & Field
 
About the award: The Scholar Athlete of the Year award is given to the graduating senior adjudged to have been the most successful in the classroom based on grade point average and course of study throughout the academic year. This award may only be won once during an athlete's career.
 
After completing her undergraduate degree in 2020, Beckett returned to the track and field program for her fifth year of eligibility while pursuing her master's degree. She holds a cumulative grade point average of 3.91 and is a four-time academic all-GNAC selection. She is also the school's indoor record holder in both the long jump and triple jump.


 
History: Beckett is the ninth different athlete to win this award and is the first women's track and field athlete to claim the honor. No athlete may be nominated for the award more than once.

All-Time Scholar Athlete of the Year

Year	Winner	Sport	Class	Hometown	Other Nominees
2013	Kristen Kastelic	Women's Soccer	Senior	Phoenix, AZ	None
2014	Lewis Polkow	Men's Track & Field	Junior	Billings, MT	None
2015	Annie DePuydt	Women's Basketball	Senior	Saco, MT	None
2016	Drew Christina	Baseball	Senior	Walla Walla, WA	None
2017	Tiana Hanson	Women's Basketball	Senior	Shepherd, MT	None
2018	Bailee Dexter	Women's Golf	Senior	Townsend, MT	None
2019	Jordan Devoto	Women's Soccer	Senior	Wilsall, MT	None
2020	Amanda Hemmen	Women's Soccer	Senior	Renton, WA	None
2021	Brenna Beckett	Women's Track & Field	Senior	Broadview, MT	None

Most Wins: 1, 9 With | Most Nominations: 1, 9 With
 

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Fan of the Year: Stefani Hicswa, Chancellor
 
About the award: The Fan of the Year award is given to the individual who is adjudged to have displayed the highest degree of support and enthusiasm for Yellowjacket Athletics throughout the course of an academic year.
 
In just her first year as chancellor at MSUB, Dr. Stefani Hicswa immediately displayed her unwavering support for the Yellowjacket athletic department and student-athletes. In a year where fans were barred due to the coronavirus pandemic, Hicswa was the Yellowjackets' biggest supporter with constant encouragement on social media, personal letters of congratulations to high-achieving athletes, and overall encouragement from the sidelines.
 
History: Dr. Hicswa is the seventh individual to earn the athletic department's Fan of the Year award.






All-Time Fan of the Year

Year	Winner	Other Nominees
2013	Kristine Antwine	None
2014	Jacket Hooligans (Men's Soccer)	None
2015	Cheryl Nook	None
2016	None	None
2017	None	None
2018	Larry McComas	None
2019	Harrison Faulk	None
2020	Will Moody	None
2021	Stefani Hicswa	None

Most Wins: 1, 7 With | Most Nominations: 1, 7 With
 

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BUZZIES SELECTED LATER THAN EVER BEFORE: The Buzzies award ceremony typically takes place in mid-April, allowing for maximum attendance at the ceremony on campus among student-athletes and coaches before departure at the end of the semester. The downside to selecting the award winners in April is that MSUB's spring sports are in the midst of competing and awards are given out without seasons being completed. With the absence of an in-person ceremony this spring, it allowed for the 2021 awards to be selected after all spring seasons were completed.
 
BUZZIES HISTORY: The Buzzies was established during the 2012-13 academic year and was designed to honor the athletic department's top performers during each school year. A full listing of previous award winners and nominees can be found online here.