The Missouri Western athletic department honored its student-athletes at the 13th Annual Missouri Western State University/St. Joseph News-Press Student-Athlete Honors Banquet on Monday evening in the Faulkerson Center. Western basketball swept the student-athlete of the year awards as women’s basketball player Jessica Koch was named Female Student-Athlete of the Year while men’s basketball player TJ Johnson was named Male Student-Athlete of the Year.

This year’s banquet featured the voice of the Kansas City Chiefs Mitch Holthus as the keynote speaker. Holthus has been with the Chiefs organization since 1994 and previously was the radio voice of the Kansas State Wildcats for 14 years. Holthus also does television work for the Big 12 Basketball Network, the Missouri Valley Conference and other select broadcasts on ESPNU.

Western also honored one Silver Anniversary Award winner who attended the institution for outstanding achievements and representation throughout the past 25-plus years. Former student athletic trainer and longtime Head Athletic Trainer of the Kansas City Chiefs Bud Epps will received the award which exhibits the characteristics of Integrity, Dedication, Leadership, a Commitment to Excellence and an obligation to serve as a concerned partner in their community.

Current Western student-athletes were chosen as their respective sports’ Student-Athlete of the Year include; TJ Johnson (Men’s Basketball), Tony Loeffler (Baseball), Tom Madget (Football), Tyler Gast (Men’s Golf), Taylor Kram (cheer squad), Jessica Koch (Women’s Basketball), Natalie Bird (Women’s Golf), Leah Steele (Softball), Molly Slattery (Women’s Soccer), Nicole Kerr (Women’s Tennis) and Tahler Johnston (Volleyball).

All of the above individuals were finalists for the Missouri Western State University/St. Joseph News-Press Male and Female Student-Athlete of the Year Award which was announced during the banquet. Western also recognized the top graduating senior based on highest cumulative GPA with the James J. McMillen Award. The winner was Taylor Krahm with a 3.95 GAP.  The Student-Athlete Advisory Committee’s Volunteer of the Year was given to baseball player Harrison Cobb and the MWSU Award for Valor was given to football players Jack Long and Shane Simpson. The award recognized an individual(s) for an outstanding act of courage.

— MWSU Sports Information —