SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – The University of Sioux Falls held their annual Spirit of Excellence Awards Celebration today with 20 Cougar athletes receiving awards. 

The USF Athletics Department awards a male and female student-athlete with the USF Athlete of the Year Award each year. This award is the highest athletic honor a student-athlete can receive during their time here at the University of Sioux Falls. In order to be eligible for this award, athletes must be recognized in at least one sport as an all-conference athlete or compete at the NCAA National Championships for their respective sport. 

Khot Juac was named this years Female Athlete of the Year. As one of the most decorative athletes in USF History, she has been named to the NSIC All-Academic Team of Excellence in each of the three seasons and has received the NSIC Myles Brand All-Academic with Distinction Award. In competition, she has placed in the top-5 13 times, with 6 being first place finishes. This year, she was recognized as USF and NSIC athlete of the week 3 times, NSIC All-Conference 2 times, has set 5 school record times and was named an NCAA All-American twice with her record-breaking performances on the national stage. 

Beau Klingensmith was named this years Male Athlete of the Year. Beau is a men's wrestler in the returning year of the program. He finished the season with an 18-8 record, with 9 wins by fall, 2 technical falls, 4 decisions, and 2 major decisions. Over the course of the season, he was named USF and NSIC athlete of the week. He placed first in the Yellowjacket open, and 2nd at the 2024 NCAA Region V Championship, which earned himself a national qualifying position. 

Maggie Veenendall received this years Gibby Award. Maggie is on the women's golf team and she competed through the end of the 2022 season before being forced to miss the 2022-23 season due to an injury. She has returned to competition strong, leading the women's team with 19 rounds completed, averaging 6 over par. This season, she has 5 top 10 finishes, 3 top 5 finished, and placed first at the USF invitational. 

  

Other Honors by USF Student-Athletes 

Outstanding English Senior: Ben Morrison, Men's Track & Field/Cross Country 

W.O. Knight Award: Addison Brenner, USF Athletics Student Assistant 

Outstanding Mathematics Senior: Jordyn Hamm, Volleyball 

Outstanding Biology Freshman: Tierney Faulk, Women's Track & Field 

Outstanding Chemistry Freshmen: Chase Henderson, Men's Track & Field; Taylor Witt, Soccer 

Outstanding Computer Science Freshman: Taylen Ashley, Men's Basketball 

Outstanding Exercise Science Senior: Domenica Solano Ocampo, Women's Swimming 

Exercise Science Mission Award: Abby Ford, Women's Swimming 

Outstanding History Senior: Caroline Titze, Soccer 

Outstanding Visual Arts Student: Ursula Demarquet-Alban, Swimming 

Outstanding Media Studies Student: Abby Whittington, Soccer 

Outstanding Business Administration Senior: Emily Swanson, Women's Track & Field 

Purple Legacy Award: Abby Ford, Swimming; Isaiah Laguna, Men's Wrestling; Caleb Rivera, Men's Track & Field/Cross Country; Domenica Solano Ocampo, Swimming; Robert Solorio, Men's Wrestling 

Alpha Chi National Honor Society: Annika Aho, Women's Track & Field/Cross Country; Julia Kreutner, Soccer; Caroline Titze, Soccer 

Summa Cum Laude 3.90-4.0 GPA: Ben Morrison, Myah Roggenbuck, Abby Whittington 

Magna Cum Laude 3.80-3.89 GPA: Avery Bartunek, Josephine Boyd, Gracie Bucher, Cole Harste, Khot Juac, Kate Kotlarz, Jordan Kuper, Megan Lawson, Sarah Miller, Domenica Solano Ocampo, Emily Swanson, Travis Yohnke 

Cum Laude 3.70-3.79: Addison Brenner, Noah Christenson, Molly Coverley, Hannah Fry, Jake Hoch, Zach Matzner, Kelsey Oswald, Eli Schlangen, Danielle Thorfinnson 
 

For all things Cougar Athletics, be sure to download the USF Cougars app as well as follow along on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.