SIOUX FALLS, SD – Achievement, resilience and focus define the three student-athletes honored by the University of Sioux Falls Athletics Department at USF's Spirit of Excellence Awards Celebration on Tuesday, April 26.

 

Emma Hertz and Joey Wehrkamp were named USF's 2021-22 Student-Athletes of the Year by Director of Athletics Pam Gohl at the awards ceremony. Ty Smith was named the recipient of the Gibby Award for showing resilience in the face of adversity. All three student-athletes are from Sioux Falls.
 
"We are exceptionally proud of Emma (Hertz), Joey (Wehrkamp) and Ty (Smith) for their contributions and achievements while serving as team leaders for USF," said Gohl. "They have been outstanding representatives of USF Athletics. They are team-first leaders and set a high standard during their time here," she said.  
 
The highest honor awarde

d by the USF Athletics Department, Student-Athletes of the Year Hertz and Wehrkamp have been standouts throughout their careers while exhibiting leadership, focus, integrity and excellence with a team-first demeanor.
 
Hertz is a 5-time All-American in track and field who owns the school record in five throwing events at USF. A psychology major, the five-time All-NSIC honoree stands as one of the elite student-athletes in the NCAA DII era.  She finished third in NCAA DII at the 2022 Indoor Nationals in the shot put and owns five of the six indoor and outdoor throwing marks at USF. This spring she is nationally ranked in DII's top 10 in both the hammer and discus and top 20 in the shot put.
 
Named to the Associated Press All-American Team, Wehrkamp is USF's first-ever national finalist for both the Gene Upshaw Lineman of the Year and Cliff Harris Defensive Player of the Award. Wehrkamp earned first team All-NSIC honors in 2021, led USF to a South Division title as well as 32 wins in his career and two DII playoff berths. During his career, the two-time Academic All-NSIC honoree has accumulated 17.5 sacks - ninth all-time at USF - and 34 TFLs - 10th all-time at USF. In making 46 straight starts, Wehrkamp accumulated 132 tackles with 83 solo stops, nine pass breakups, four fumble recoveries, and three forced fumbles.
 
Hertz and Wehrkamp were nominated by their head coaches and selection was made by a vote of all full- time athletic staff members.
 

The Gibby Award, named in the honor of the late and former USF Baseball player Connor Gibson, is awarded to a student-athlete who faces and overcomes adversity with strength, perseverance and courage. To that point, Smith stepped up as he faced season-ending injuries twice and lost a year to the COVID-19 pandemic. Yet, Smith never let go of his ambition and purpose of playing college football, earning a degree and standing up as a leader for his teammates.
 
A team captain and three-time Academic All-NSIC honoree, Smith epitomizes resilience, focus and integrity.  A Master of Business Administration graduate in December of 2021 Smith finished his career 98 catches for 1,353 yards and four TDs while leading USF to 32 wins and two playoff berths.
 
Other Honors by USF Student-Athletes –
Celebrating Academic Achievement in Education – Sterling Haphey, baseball, Moorhead, Minn.
Celebrating Achievement in the Natural Sciences – David Ecker, track and field/cross country, Eau Claire, Wisc.;  Jayden Slaba, track and field/cross country,  Sioux Falls, S.D.
Celebrating Academic Achievement in the Social Sciences – David Ecker, track and field/cross country, Eau Claire, Wisc.; Cassidy O'Meara, track and field/cross country, Moorhead, Minn.; Paulina Ruelas, swimming, Honolulu, Hawaii; Elizabeth Spaans, swimming, Brandon, S.D.; Sierra Stanton, track and field/cross country, Watertown, S.D.; Kylan Straight, softball, Logan, Iowa; Caroline Titze, soccer, Mitchell, S.D.
Natural Sciences – Outstanding Biology Senior – Jayden Slaba, track and field/cross country, Sioux Falls, S.D.
Natural Sciences – Outstanding Overall Natural Sciences Senior – Samantha Mullvain, swimming, Duluth, Minn.
Natural Sciences – Outstanding Chemistry Senior – Krista Goerger, Volleyball, Mankato, Minn.
The LAR Writing Award – Honorable Mention – Caroline Titze, soccer, Mitchell, S.D.
Social Sciences – Outstanding Psychology Senior - Kyla Gushard, soccer, Lincoln, Neb.
Visual and Performing Arts – The Carolyn Cleveland Artistic Talent Award – Ursula Demarquet, swimming, Guayaquil, Ecuador
Visual and Performing Arts – Outstanding Graphic Design Student – Steven Miner, track and field, Blooming Prairie, Minn.
Vucurevich School of Business – Outstanding Accounting Senior – Alex Bertram, baseball, Sioux Falls, SD
Vucurevich School of Business – Outstanding Sports Management Seniors – Nicole Jacobson, volleyball, Dakota Dunes, S.D.; Marlee Schneider, volleyball, Rapid City, S.D.
Celebrating Academic Achievement in Business – Grace Hanel, volleyball, Racine, Wisc.; Jaice Miller, football, Champlin Park, Minn.; JeMae Nichols, women's basketball, Cherokee, Iowa; Eli Schlangen, football, Two Harbors, Minn.; Marlee Schneider, volleyball, Rapid City, S.D.; Emily Swanson, track and field, O'Dell, Neb.; and Joe Timp, football, Cottage Grove, Minn.
Purple Feather Awards – Annika Aho, track and field, Menagha, Minn.; Trevon Brown, football, Oak Park, Ill.; Ursula Demarquet, swimming, Guayaquil, Ecuador; Giulia Fazza Marcon, swimming, Juiz De Fora, Brazil; TiaRose Nagami, volleyball, Pearl City, Hawaii; Riley Robbe, volleyball, Bentonville, Ark.; and Ty'Rese Washington, football, Columbia, S.C.
Representative Man Candidate – Nathan Woodall, golf, Sioux Falls, S.D.; Andrew Maslowski, baseball, Maplewood, Minn.; Ethan Holm, track and field.