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

MARSHALL – Southwest Minnesota State student-athletes from the 2018-19 academic year were honored at the SMSU Athletic Department 14th 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 55 senior student-athletes and 90 scholar student-athletes were honored during the evening. The SMSU volleyball was also recognized for advancing to the NCAA tournament during the 2018-19 season.

Senior softball student-athlete Sara DeSmet from Minneota was named the 2018-19 Female Scholar-Athlete of the Year, while senior football student-athlete Jon Dicke from Rochester was named Male Scholar-Athlete of the Year.

Men’s basketball student-athlete Ryan Bruggeman from Pelican Rapids received the 2018-19 Male Athlete of the Year honor, while senior volleyball student-athlete Taylor Reiss from Taunton was named Female Athlete of the Year.

Senior wrestling student-athlete Cortez Arredondo 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 like to thank the SMSU Alumni Association and Mustang Booster Club for helping sponsor numerous awards for the program and would also like to thank Ryan Rohlik from Marshall Radio for serving as the program’s emcee.

Content courtesy

of SMSU Athletic

Communications