BYU celebrates 2021-22 athletic year with Y-Awards

PROVO, Utah — BYU honored 22 athletes and coaches from 10 different teams with the annual Y-Awards during a special episode of BYU Sports Nation on Thursday.

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Women's soccer, led by head coach of the year Jen Rockwood, was recognized as the women's team of the year. Men's golf received the honor as men's team of the year, and track and field throws coach Niklas Arrhenius was named the assistant coach of the year. A complete list of the award winners can be found below. 

Female Athlete of the Year
Given to the female athlete who demonstrates the competitive spirit of desire, dedication, and determination, leading her to the top of competition and serving as an inspiration to both teammates and fans.

• Mikayla Colohan, Soccer

Female Rookie of the Year
Female freshman student athlete who contributes the most in her true freshman or red-shirt freshman year.

• Cailee Faulkner, Track & Field

Female Crowd Pleaser
Athlete whose enthusiasm and outstanding performance have given extra excitement to the crowd.

• Cameron Tucker, Soccer

Lu Wallace Outstanding Senior
Senior who has most clearly demonstrated high athletic and academic performance and sportsmanship.

• Kenzie Koeber, Volleyball

Leona Holbrook Spirit of Sport
Senior female athlete whose participation best exemplifies the true spirit of sport in athletics and life.

• Cassidy Smith, Soccer

Male Athlete of the Year
Given to the male athlete who demonstrates the competitive spirit of desire, dedication, and determination, leading him to the top of competition and serving as an inspiration to both teammates and fans.

• Tyler Allgeier, Football

Male Rookie of the Year
Male freshman student athlete who contributes the most in his true freshman or red-shirt freshman year.

• Fousseyni Traore, Basketball

Male Crowd Pleaser of the Year
Athlete whose enthusiasm and outstanding performance have given extra excitement to the crowd.

• Puka & Samson Nacua, Football

Ed Stein Outstanding Senior
Senior who has most clearly demonstrated high athletic and academic performance and sportsmanship.

• Conner Mantz, Cross Country

Dale R. McCann Spirit of Sport
Senior male athlete whose participation best exemplifies the true spirit of sport in athletics and life.

• Jon Stanley, Volleyball

Comeback Athlete of the Year
Male or female who has overcome incredible odds to succeed as a Cougar athlete.

• Ashton Riner, Women's Track & Field

Walk-on of the Year
One non-scholarship athlete (male or female) at BYU who plays a significant role on his or her team.

• Sebastian Fernandez, Men's Track & Field

Floyd Johnson Service Award
Male or female athletes who have demonstrated uncommon commitment in giving back to the community. Their attitude of giving truly exemplifies the university’s motto of “Enter to learn, go forth to serve". 

• Tyler Batty, Football
  • Created and operates Edwards Hands, which is a non-profit that provides equine therapy for children with autism that allows them to have powerful bonding experiences with their parents.
• Gideon George, Men's Basketball
  • Worked with Timeout4Africa, organizing shoe drives to send to his home in Minna, Nigeria. One shoe drive sent thousands of shoes to Africa.
• Trey Stewart, Men's Basketball
  • Started his own company, Default Happiness, to promote mental health. This is done through three steps to creating happiness as a default.
• Julie Sumsion, Women's Track & Field
  • Involved with Athletic Connection (program working with kids and sharing their talents) as well as contributed to the SAAC service committee heavily throughout the last year and organized nursing home visits for teams to participate in.

Cougar Club Memorial Award
Outstanding junior male or female athlete with high scholarly achievement.

• Brigham Harrison, (Men's Swim & Dive)

Kimball Memorial Award
Male or female athlete who have the highest cumulative GPA among those who have lettered twice or more and completed 70 or more credit hours.

• Bella Folino, Soccer (4.0)
• McKay Johns, Men's Track & Field (4.0)