Purdue University Northwest Athletics revealed its 2024-25 academic year award winners at the 7th Annual Leo Awards Monday night, hosted at the Dworkin Student Services & Activities Complex on the PNW Westville Campus.
PNW is now in its eighth-year as a member of the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) and competing at the NCAA Division II level. Highlighting the night of celebration were five major awards as the Pride produced another historic year in the classroom, in competition, and in the community by setting records across all sports as well bringing home several championships over the past year.
The prestigious
John Friend Leadership Award went to baseball senior Drake Ballard. This award, which is named after Director of Athletics Emeritus,
John Friend, recognizes the most distinguished student-athlete within the athletic department who embodies academic success, leadership, community service, humility and strong moral values.
The Scholar-Athlete of the Year awards were presented to senior Salma Raslan (Women's Tennis) and senior Francisco Lanusse (Men's Tennis).
This year, we honored two amazing athletes for Player of the Year. For Female Athlete of the Year, women's track & field senior Kiara Spates and for Male Athlete of the Year, junior DI hockey student-athlete Cooper Olson. Both student-athletes had incredible years on the track and on the ice.
2024-25 Leo Award Images of the Year
FULL 2024-25 PURDUE NORTHWEST STUDENT-ATHLETE AWARDS
JOHN FRIEND LEADERSHIP AWARD
Drake Ballard, Senior, Baseball
FEMALE SCHOLAR-ATHLETE OF THE YEAR
Salma Raslan, Senior, Women's Tennis
MALE SCHOLAR-ATHLETE OF THE YEAR
Francisco Lanusse, Senior, Men's Tennis
FEMALE ATHLETE OF THE YEAR
Kiara Spates, Senior, Women's Track & Field
MALE ATHLETE OF THE YEAR
Cooper Olson, Junior, DI Hockey
FEMALE FRESHMAN OF THE YEAR
Rokaya Ajami, Freshman, Women's Soccer
MALE FRESHMAN OF THE YEAR
Baden Powell, Freshman, DI Hockey
FEMALE MOST-IMPROVED ATHLETE
Myrriam Dhoore, Sophomore, Women's Cross Country
MALE MOST-IMPROVED ATHLETE
Jackson Ware, Sophomore, Men's Basketball
MOST IMPROVED TEAM
Women's Soccer
MOST SPIRITED TEAM
Women's Soccer
CHANCELLOR'S CUP TEAM GPA AWARD
Softball
FEMALE PRIDE-HUSTLE-DESIRE AWARD
Giana Frayer, Sophomore, Volleyball
MALE PRIDE-HUSTLE-DESIRE AWARD
Jules Bikoy, Senior, Men's Basketball
FEMALE SPORTSMANSHIP AWARD
Grace Wilson, Junior, Softball
MALE SPORTSMANSHIP AWARD
Samuel Dickson, Junior, Men's Tennis
FEMALE BEST BREAKTHROUGH PERFORMANCE
Olivia Hernandez, Junior, Softball
MALE BEST BREAKTHROUGH PERFORMANCE
Alex Van Lumich, Sophomore, Men's Tennis
MOST OUTSTANDING SPIRIT ATHLETE
Regan Kelly, Freshman, Cheer & Dance Team
TYLER HOFFMAN COURAGE & PERSEVERANCE AWARD (FEMALE)
Izzy Manning, Junior, Women's Soccer
TYLER HOFFMAN COURAGE & PERSEVERANCE AWARD (MALE)
Brett Matthys, Senior, Baseball
