Photo courtesy of SMSU Athletic Communications SMSU President Dr. Connie Gores (center) poses with men’s cross country and track and field runner Bashir Aidrus (left) and volleyball player Taylor Reiss (right) during the Celebration of Excellence program Monday at SMSU. Aidrus was awarded Male Athlete of the Year while Reiss was named Female Athlete of the Year.

MARSHALL – Southwest Minnesota State student-athletes from the 2017-18 academic year were honored at the SMSU Athletic Department 13th annual Celebration of Excellence program held Monday night on the campus of SMSU.

More than 125 student-athletes were recognized during the evening for earning all-conference, academic all-conference, team MVPs, Mustang Medals and various other awards. A total of 52 senior student-athletes and 87 scholar student-athletes were honored during the evening. The SMSU volleyball and men’s basketball team were also recognized for advancing to the NCAA tournament during the 2017-18 season.

Senior golf student-athlete Lauren Kerr from Apple Valley, was named the 2017-18 Female Scholar-Athlete of the Year, while junior baseball student-athlete Jayden Fleck from Hutchinson, was named Male Scholar-Athlete of the Year.

Cross country and track & field sophomore student-athlete Bashir Aidrus from Waite Park, received the 2017-18 Male Athlete of the Year honor, while junior volleyball student-athlete Taylor Reiss from Taunton, was named Female Athlete of the Year.

Senior softball student-athlete Mackenzie Clouse served as this year’s senior student-athlete keynote speaker.

A special thanks to Skewes Jewelry in Marshall for providing the MVP watches, senior awards and the Athlete of the Year awards, and to AP Design in Marshall for providing the Mustang Medals.

The SMSU Athletics Department would also like to thank the SMSU Alumni Association and Mustang Booster Club for helping sponsor numerous awards for the program.

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of SMSU Athletic

Communications