Lincoln – A legendary Husker completed a rare sweep, as Nebraska Athletics celebrated “A Night at the Lied” Sunday evening. The event highlights the accomplishments of Husker student-athletes over the past year, culminating with the presentation of the Most Outstanding Female and Male Student-Athletes. For the second time, a Husker student-athlete won both the Most Outstanding […]
Lincoln – A legendary Husker completed a rare sweep, as Nebraska Athletics celebrated “A Night at the Lied” Sunday evening. The event highlights the accomplishments of Husker student-athletes over the past year, culminating with the presentation of the Most Outstanding Female and Male Student-Athletes.
For the second time, a Husker student-athlete won both the Most Outstanding Female Student-Athlete and Female Athlete of the Year, as Lexi Rodriguez (Volleyball) was tabbed for both awards.
Rodriguez and Micaylon Moore (Men’s Track and Field) took home the most coveted awards at the 35th annual event, as they were selected as the 2025 Most Outstanding Female and Male Student-Athlete. To be considered for the award, student-athletes must have a cumulative GPA of 3.30 or better, performed with distinction in a varsity sport, demonstrated a commitment to service and leadership, and acted in a manner that has brought credit to the student-athlete, the institution and intercollegiate athletics.
Rodriguez was a four-time AVCA All-American, becoming just the third Husker to earn that distinction. A three-time Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year, she totaled a school-record 1,897 digs along with 545 set assists and 73 service aces as a Husker. Rodriguez also was the fifth Husker in school history to be a four-time first-team all-conference honoree. In the classroom, Rodriguez is a three-time Academic All-American, a six-time Academic All-Big Ten selection and a five-time member of the NU Scholar-Athlete Honor Roll. She graduated with a degree in advertising and public relations in 2024 and is working on her master’s degree. She is the seventh Husker volleyball player named Most Outstanding Female Student-Athlete and the first since Mikaela Foecke in 2019.
Rodriguez completed one of the most decorated careers in Husker volleyball history in 2024, leading the Huskers to a 33-3 record, a Big Ten title and an NCAA Semifinal appearance. She was named the AAU Sullivan Award winner, presented annually to the most exceptional athlete at the collegiate, Olympic, or other similarly elite level in the United States. A finalist for the AVCA Player of the Year and the Honda Sport Award, Rodriguez started all 36 matches and averaged 3.88 digs per set along with 127 set assists and 16 services aces. She anchored a defense that led the Big Ten and ranked sixth nationally in opponent hitting percentage (.143). A first-team All-American, she was the first AVCA Central Region Player of the Year, marking the first time a libero was named regional player of the year. She had four matches with 20-or-more digs, including a season-high 22 against Ohio State and Dayton. The Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year, Rodriguez helped NU to a 19-1 Big Ten record, dropping just eight sets in 20 matches.
Moore has been the epitome of student-athlete excellence throughout his collegiate career. On the track, he is a three-time All-American in the triple jump, finishing second in the triple jump at the 2025 NCAA Indoor Track Championships with a jump of 16.52m (54-2 ½). He was the Big Ten Indoor Champion in the triple jump in 2025 and is a seven-time Big Ten medalist, competing in the triple and long jump events. His performances helped Nebraska win back-to-back Big Ten outdoor titles in 2023 and 2024. In the classroom, Moore was an Academic All-American in 2024, a four-time member of the USTFCCCA All-Academic Team and a four-time Arthur Ashe Jr. Sports Scholar, finishing as a national finalist and second runner-up in 2023. He won the Wayne Duke Postgraduate Scholarship earlier this year. He is a four-time Big Ten Distinguished Scholar and a member of the Innocents Society. Moore graduated in 2024 with a degree in biological sciences and currently carries a 4.0 GPA in graduate school at NU. His extensive work in the community includes the NoFilter Service Abroad trip to Ecuador, the B1G Lift Trip to Selma, Ala., over 50 two-hour shifts at St. Elizabeth Hospital and serving as a motivational speaker for schools 20 times as a Huskers. He was Nebraska’s male nominee for the inaugural Big Ten Jackie Robinson Community and Impact Award, one of 18 student-athletes selected.
University of Nebraska President Dr. Jeffrey Gold announced that Rodriguez and Moore will be Nebraska’s Big Ten Medal of Honor recipients in 2025. The conference’s most exclusive award was the first of its kind in intercollegiate athletics to recognize academic and athletic excellence. The Big Ten Medal of Honor was first awarded in 1915 to one student from the graduating class of each university who had “attained the greatest proficiency in athletics and scholastic work.”
Ridge Lovett (Wrestling) earned Male Athlete of the Year after leading the wrestling team to an NCAA runner-up finish this season. Lovett went 25-2 at 149 pounds becoming the first Husker to sweep both the Big Ten and NCAA titles in the same season. At the NCAA Championships, he posted five wins over ranked foes, culminating with a 1-0 decision over top-ranked Caleb Hanson of Virginia Tech in the championship match. Lovett became Nebraska’s first NCAA champion since Jordan Burroughs in 2011. At the Big Ten Championships, he outscored his four opponents by a combined 47-8 with two major decisions and a technical fall. Lovett had 15 bonus-point wins among his 25 victories on the year and went 15-2 against nationally ranked opponents. Lovett, who was NU’s Male Athlete of the Year in 2022, finished his career as a four-time All-American and posted a 102-21 record.
Britt Prince (Women’s Basketball) was chosen as the Female Freshman Athlete of the Year, as she guided the Husker women’s basketball team to a 21-12 record and an NCAA Tournament appearance. Prince was named to the Big Ten All-Freshman Team, averaging 13.4 points and 4.0 rebounds per game while pacing NU in both assists (3.8 apg) and steals (1.7 spg). The honorable-mention All-Big Ten pick finished seventh on NU’s freshman scoring list and became the first freshman in school history to record 400 points, 100 rebounds and 100 assists in a season. She scored 20 or more points six times, highlighted by a 22-point, seven-rebound, five-assist, six-steal performance in a road win at Iowa that earned Prince Big Ten and USBWA National Freshman of the Week honors.
Christopher Minto (Wrestling) was tabbed as the Male Freshman Athlete of the Year after earning All-America honors in his first season of competition. Minto went 24-6 at 165 pounds, posting 15 bonus-point wins for a Husker team that went 11-3 and garnered runner-up finishes at the NCAA and Big Ten Championships. At the NCAA Championships, he defeated four ranked wrestlers, including a pair of top-five opponents, on his way to All-America honors. His performance at NCAAs helped the Huskers earn runner-up honors for the first time in program history.
A total of seven student-athletes received the Outstanding Scholar Award, which is presented to individuals who have graduated in the previous year or are up for graduation and have better than a 3.90 cumulative sGPA. The list of honorees included Roni Hietaranta (Men’s Tennis), Lishanna Ilves (Women’s Track & Field), Barret Liebentritt (Football), McKenna Lovehaug (Women’s Cross Country), Abbey Schwarz (Soccer), Emma Spence (Women’s Gymnastics) and Haidyn Warner (Softball).
The Herman Team GPA Award highlights academic performance in the classroom over the previous two completed semesters. The men’s cross country team under Coach Megan Elliott won the Herman Award for a record 12th time with a team GPA of 3.716. The women’s rifle team, under the direction of Coach Richard Clark, claimed its fourth Herman Award with a team GPA of 3.816, the highest recorded team GPA for any Husker program in more than 30 years.
Life Skills presented the Sam Foltz 27 Hero Leadership Award on Sunday. This award, named in honor of the late Husker punter Sam Foltz, was presented to 27 student-athletes across all sports who exhibit strong leadership qualities, commitment to service and ability to encourage/empower peers. The Life Skills program also named a trio of winners across all sports of its most prestigious individual award – the Heart & Soul Award. The 2025 Heart & Soul winners were Genesis Gibson (Women’s Gymnastics), Katie Kuenemann (Women’s Gymnastics) and Micaylon Moore (Men’s Track & Field) for their extensive work in the community during the course of their college careers.
Life Skills also honored the members of the Tom Osborne Citizenship Team, as a total of 433 student-athletes were recognized. The Husker “Good Works” team was created in 2014, and the 433 recipients are the most throughout the history of the award. Special recognition went to 16 programs who had 100 percent of their roster honored this year, including bowling, men’s basketball, men’s golf, men’s gymnastics, men’s tennis, rifle, soccer, softball, swimming & diving, women’s basketball, women’s cross country, women’s golf, women’s gymnastics, women’s tennis, wrestling, and volleyball.
Overall, a total of 356 Huskers earned academic medallions at “A Night at the Lied”. Gold medallions (134) were presented to those for earning highest academic honors (3.750-4.000 grade-point average). Silver medallions (88) were awarded to those capturing high honors (3.500-3.749 GPA), while bronze medallions (134) were presented to student-athletes with honors (3.000-3.499 GPA).
“A Night at the Lied” Winners for 2025
Most Outstanding Female Student-Athlete & Big Ten Medal of Honor: Lexi Rodriguez, Volleyball
Most Outstanding Male Student-Athlete & Big Ten Medal of Honor: Micaylon Moore, Men’s Track & Field
Female Athlete of the Year: Lexi Rodriguez, Volleyball
Male Athlete of the Year: Ridge Lovett, Wrestling
Female Freshman Athlete of the Year: Britt Prince, Women’s Basketball
Male Freshman Athlete of the Year: Christopher Minto, Wrestling
Women’s Herman Team GPA Award: Rifle (3.816 GPA)
Men’s Herman Team GPA Award: Cross Country (3.716 GPA)
Outstanding Scholar Awards (7): Roni Hietaranta, Men’s Tennis; Lishanna Ilves, Women’s Track & Field; Barret Liebentritt, Football; McKenna Lovehaug, Women’s Cross Country; Abbey Schwarz, Soccer; Emma Spence, Women’s Gymnastics; Haidyn Warner, Softball
Heart & Soul Awards (3): Genesis Gibson, Women’s Gymnastics; Katie Kuenemann, Women’s Gymnastics; Micaylon Moore, Men’s Track & Field
Sam Foltz 27 Hero Leadership Award (27): Jahmal Banks, Football; Katelyn Barth, Women’s Gymnastics; Derek Branch, Football; Brooke Bream, Women’s Golf; Drew Christo, Baseball; Kendall Coley, Women’s Basketball; Grace Corbett, Rifle; Jeff Grace III, Men’s Basketball; Jalyn Gramstad, Football; Lauren Homecillo, Women’s Gymnastics; Madison Lloyd, Swimming & Diving; Reed Malleck, Men’s Golf; Olivia Mauch, Volleyball; Sydney McCracken, Swimming & Diving; Cami Merickel, Women’s Cross Country; Cade Moran, Men’s Track & Field; Rebecca Pecora, Women’s Track & Field; Teddy Prochazka, Football; Scott Robertson, Wrestling; Niko Schultz, Men’s Track & Field; Abbey Schwarz, Soccer; Kayla Verstraete, Bowling; Cece Villa, Soccer; Arianna Walker, Women’s Track & Field; Haidyn Warner, Softball; Allison Weidner, Women’s Basketball; Henry Zimmerman, Men’s Track & Field
Two Lodi High athletes brought home hardware from the CIF State Track and Field Championships this past weekend at Buchanan High in Clovis. Senior Keily Ramirez placed fifth in the girls pole vault with a 12-foot, 4-inch clearance in the preliminaries and a 12-2 in the finals, and junior Gracelynne Duenas placed seventh in the […]
Two Lodi High athletes brought home hardware from the CIF State Track and Field Championships this past weekend at Buchanan High in Clovis.
Senior Keily Ramirez placed fifth in the girls pole vault with a 12-foot, 4-inch clearance in the preliminaries and a 12-2 in the finals, and junior Gracelynne Duenas placed seventh in the girls discus with a 145-foot, 3-inch throw in the finals.
June 3, 2025 Ferris State Athletics has announced the induction of 10 members into the Bulldog Athletics Hall of Fame for the Class of 2025. BIG RAPIDS, Mich. — Ten Ferris State University alumni representing nine sports programs have been chosen for selection as the Ferris State University Bulldog Athletics Hall of Fame […]
June 3, 2025
BIG RAPIDS, Mich. —
Ten Ferris State University alumni representing nine sports programs have been chosen
for selection as the Ferris State University Bulldog Athletics Hall of Fame Class
of 2025, which will be enshrined on campus this fall.
The 2025 class includes: Chad Billins (Hockey, 2008-12), Karla (Fairbanks) Griffin
(Volleyball, 2001-04), Rachel (Folcik) McClure (Women’s Basketball, 2004-08), Dan
Hutcheson (Wrestling, 1989-93), Justin Keenan (Men’s Basketball, 2007-11), Alan Morin
(Men’s Golf, 1989-91), Tina Muir (Women’s Track and Field/Cross Country, 2008-12),
Jeff Pierce (Football Athlete & Coach, 1974-2011), Rex Schuberg (Men’s Track & Field,
1974-78) and Justin Zimmer (Football, 2011-15).
The event is planned for Wednesday, Aug. 27, at Jim Wink Arena on the Ferris State
campus inside the Ewigleben Sports Complex.
The class includes seven people who earned All-America honors at Ferris State, including
a group of the school’s all-time greats in their respective sports in Billins, Fairbanks,
Folcik, Hutcheson, Keenan, Muir and Zimmer.
It also features longtime football coach Jeff Pierce in addition to local benefactor,
supporter and former athlete Rex Schuberg as well as Alan Morin, who has went on to
achieve incredible success in the golf world.
A 10-member committee comprised of faculty, staff, alumni and community members selected
the 2025 inductees from a large group of initial nominees.
“We’re extremely thrilled to announce this year’s class of inductees, which is a truly
exceptional group,” Athletics Director Steve Brockelbank said. “This class includes
many of the school’s all-time greats and is an outstanding group that has achieved
at the highest level. They are very deserving of the recognition and we look forward
to honoring these talented individuals this fall.”
This year’s Hall of Fame event will take place the night prior to the Bulldogs’ 2025
football home opener against Pittsburg State, which is planned for Thursday, Aug.
28, at Top Taggart Field.
The Bulldog Athletics Hall of Fame, which inducted its Charter Class in 2000, was
established to honor those student-athletes and coaches who have distinguished themselves
in their sport or honorary members who made truly exceptional contributions to athletics.
Those who are inducted must first meet the following nomination criteria – nominees
must be departed from Ferris State University for at least 10 years; nominees must
have earned at least one varsity letter and must have distinguished themselves by
exemplary performance in the field of athletics; Secondary consideration is given
for the performance of meritorious service in behalf of Ferris State Athletics after
leaving Ferris State or a singular contribution to the Athletics program, and nominees
must have demonstrated good citizenship and conducted exemplary professional/occupational
careers which reflect credit on the individual and Ferris State University.
The 2025 Bulldog Athletics Hall of Fame inductees are:
Chad Billins (Hockey, 2008-12) – Billins played a lead role in the Bulldogs’ historic
first-ever trip to the NCAA Division I Frozen Four and the national championship game
as a senior in 2011-12. He served as a team captain as the Bulldogs captured the school’s
second CCHA Championship and eventually reached the title game. Billins earned All-CCHA
First Team accolades as a senior and was a AHCA All-American while also being tabbed
to the NCAA All-Tournament Team.
The Bulldog standout finished his senior campaign with 29 points on seven goals and
22 assists as one of the nation’s top blueliners. He played in 149 games over his
four-year career, totaling 67 points on 17 goals and 50 assists. Billins also received
the CCHA Scholar-Athlete of the ear Award for his work in the classroom as one of
the country’s top all-around student-athletes. Following graduation, he inked a AHL
contract with the Grand Rapids Griffins and was chosen to play in the 2013 AHL All-Star
Game while helping Grand Rapids claim the Calder Cup Championship.
He earned an NHL contract with the Calgary Flames and appeared in 10 NHL games. Overall,
he spent 12 seasons playing professionally in the AHL, NHL and overseas in Russia,
Denmark and Sweeden. Billins was also a member of the United States Olympic Team in
2018.
Karla (Fairbanks) Griffin (Volleyball, 2001-04) – Fairbanks was a two-time All-American
in volleyball for Ferris State in 2003 and 2004. The two-time All-GLIAC First Team
choice also earned GLIAC All-Tournament Team accolades during her memorable career
with the Bulldogs. She earned team Most Valuable Player honors and concluded her career
ranked third on the school’s all-time leaders list with 1,649 career kills.
She also ranked fourth in aces with 185 and owned three of the school’s top eight
single-match kills performances upon the conclusion of her collegiate career. She
helped lead the Bulldogs to two NCAA Division II National Tournament appearances and
was chosen as the school’s female Dean Davenport Bulldog of the Year Award recipient
as the top student-athlete in her senior campaign.
Rachel (Folcik) McClure (Women’s Basketball, 2004-08) – A 2007-08 ESPN The Magazine
Academic All-America First Team recipient, Folcik twice picked up All-America Honorable
Mention honors on the hardwood for the Bulldogs and was named to both the NCAA Division
II State Farm Coaches’ and Women’s Division II Basketball Bulletin Honorable Mention
All-America Teams following her final season. She was also both a Daktronics All-Great
Lakes Region First Team selection along with being named to the Women’s Basketball
Coaches Association (WBCA) Region 4 First Team. Folcik was honored as an All-GLIAC
North Division First Team pick and a GLIAC North Division All-Defensive Team selection
for the second-straight year in her final campaign.
She concluded her FSU career listed second in school history with 1,705 career points
and was only 16 shy of tying Lucy DeMartin’s school-record total of 1,721 points at
FSU. The 6-1 Folcik posted a school-record 677 career made field goals and is listed
second with 793 rebounds all-time at Ferris State. In 2007-08, Folcik was the squad’s
leading scorer (19.5 ppg) and rebounder (8.3 rpg). She reached double-figure scoring
in 25 of her 27 contests while posting 12 double-double (points & rebounds) efforts.
The 2006-07 NCAA Division II Kodak/Women’s Basketball Coaches Association Honorable
Mention All-American was named to the All-Great Lakes Region First Team in both of
her final two collegiate campaigns. Folcik finished her final season ranked second
in the GLIAC in scoring (19.5 ppg.) along with tied for second in free throw percentage
(.833) and third in rebounding (8.3 rpg.).
She totaled 81 double-figure scoring games in 113 career contests as a Bulldog player.
Also, Folcik scored 20 points or more 12 times in 2007-08 with three games of 30 points
or more. As a junior in 2006-07, Folcik led the Bulldogs to a school-record 23 wins
(23-9) and the program’s first-ever appearance in the NCAA Division II Sweet Sixteen.
Folcik’s 241 made field goals and 602 total points that season were both school single-season
marks while her 261 rebounds was the second-highest seasonal figure in FSU history.
The two-time team captain, who averaged a team-best 18.8 points per game in 2006-07,
scored in double-figures 27 times as a junior and notched 13 double-double (points
& rebounds) performances.
She finished the year listed second overall in scoring and fifth in rebounds among
the GLIAC’s overall leaders while ranking second in both field goal (.555) and free
throw (.860) percentage.
Dan Hutcheson (Wrestling, 1989-93) – He was a three-time wrestling All-American for
the Bulldogs and also a two-time Academic All-American. He claimed the school’s Bulldog
of the Year honor in 1990-91 before later serving as an assistant wrestling coach
for the Bulldogs. He went on to work for the MHSAA after a long and distinguished
career as a prep coach and administrator where he was tabbed as the region’s athletic
director of the year while at Howell High School.
As a collegiate senior in the 1992-93 campaign, Hutcheson posted a 32-5 overall record
and led FSU to a seventh-place team finish at the D2 National Championships while
being chosen as the school’s Most Outstanding Wrestler. He finished as the national
runner-up at 167 pounds and was a two-time regional titlist and three-time GLIAC Champion
on the mat.
He also claimed GLIAC All-Academic Team recognition and was a four-year letterwinner
for the Bulldogs under head coach Jim Miller. In his junior season in 1991-92, Hutcheson
led the Bulldogs with a 37-7 overall mark and posted eight pins. He took fifth place
at nationals as a junior and also beat the nation’s top-ranked Division I wrestler
from Iowa at the Las Vegas Invitational in his junior campaign.
Justin Keenan (Men’s Basketball, 2007-11) – Keenan finished his collegiate career
as the GLIAC’s all-time scoring leader and earned NCAA Division II National Player
of the Year honors in 2010-11 after leading Ferris State to the NCAA D2 Sweet Sixteen
and the GLIAC Championship. He led the GLIAC in scoring three consecutive seasons
and was the only player in Division II to rank among the nation’s top 20 players in
both scoring and rebounding his final campaign. Keenan became only the third player
in league annals to win the coveted GLIAC Player of the Year honor twice. Twice, he
earned All-America accolades, becoming the first Bulldog player in 36 years to claim
the nod and FSU’s first-ever All-America pick at the D2 level as a junior in 2009-10.
He was chosen to participate in the 2011 Reese’s Division II All-Star Game and was
a consensus All-America choice from multiple organizations as a senior. He was also
a three-time All-GLIAC and two-time all-region selection. He concluded his career
by scoring 2,259 career points, ranking second all-time in school history. He also
finished as FSU’s all-time leader with 797 made free throws while ranking third in
rebounding (901), and seventh in field goal percentage (.548) on the all-time chart.
Keenan has since went on to enjoy a lengthy professional career overseas in some of
the world’s top leagues since the completion of his collegiate career.
Alan Morin (Men’s Golf, 1989-91) – A 1992 FSU graduate, Morin was a three-year letterwinner
for the Bulldogs and was the team’s Most Valuable Player in 1989. He claimed individual
champion honors at the 1989 GLIAC Championship and was a two-time all-conference honoree.
A Professional Golf Management alum, Morin was honored as the 2022 Ferris State Distinguished
Alumni Award recipient and has enjoyed a stellar professional career, including being
the 2024 champion of the National PGA Senior Club Professional Championship. He twice
has been on the United States of America PGA Cup Team and is a 21-time qualifier for
the National PGA Club Professional Championship.
Morin has also qualified 14 times for the National PGA Assistant Professional Championship
and is a five-time qualifier for the National PGA Senior Club Professional Championship.
Among his many accomplishments, Morin has qualified for two US Open’s (1998 and 2003)
along with six PGA Championships and five Senior PGA Championships. He’s also qualified
for the PGA Tour Honda Classic 12 times and made the cut on three occasions.
He’s made the PGA Tour Ford Championship at Doral four times and the PGA Tour Puerto
Rico Open four times. In South Florida, he was selected to the section’s PGA Hall
of Fame in 2021 and has been the South Florida PGA Player of the Year 11 times along
with four times as the Senior Player of the Year. He’s also won the South Florida
PGA Section Championship five times among his many other professional accomplishments.
Tina Muir (Track & Field/Cross Country, 2008-12) – One of the most decorated student-athletes
in Bulldog history, Muir was an 11-time All-American for the Bulldogs during her track
and field/cross country career. She earned runner-up honors in the 5,000 meters at
the 2012 NCAA D2 Outdoor Championships when she also placed fourth in the 10K. Muir
finished a personal-best seventh overall and sixth in scoring position at the 2011
NCAA D2 National Cross Country Championships to earn All-America honors for the fourth
consecutive campaign.
She is the only four-time All-America choice in FSU women’s cross country history
and her performance represented the highest individual finish ever for the Bulldogs,
who tied for the best team finish in school history with an eighth place showing in
2011. Muir earned GLIAC Cross Country Athlete of the Year recognition and twice won
the league’s individual cross country crown.
She helped FSU to a number three national ranking. Muir also claimed All-GLIAC and
GLIAC All- Academic honors four-straight years and was a three-time recipient of the
GLIAC Commissioner’s Award in addition to claiming COSIDA Academic All-America honors
and being a finalist for the NCAA Woman of the Year Award. Muir went on to compete
in the British Olympic Trials and had a lengthy professional elite racing career.
Jeff Pierce (Football, 1974-2011) – A Bulldog football alum, Pierce was a mainstay
in the Bulldog program, first as a player and later as a coach. After playing at Ferris
State from 1974-77 and graduating from FSU, he joined the Bulldog staff in 1983 under
then head coach Nick Coso. He later served as a defensive coordinator for seven years,
helping construct one of the country’s top units in the early to mid-1990’s for coach
Keith Otterbein. His 1992 FSU defense led NCAA Division II in points allowed per game
while his 1994 unit was tops in the MIFC. Pierce then went on to serve as the head
coach at Ferris State for 17 seasons, becoming the program’s all-time winningest head
coach at the time with 102 career victories.
He guided the Bulldogs to three GLIAC Championships, two NCAA Division II Playoff
bids and an appearance in the national semifinals in 1995, which at the time represented
the highest finish in program history. Pierce received the MIFC Coach of the Year
honor in 1995 and was a longtime ambassador for Bulldog Athletics and FSU Football
in the Big Rapids community and across the state. After departing from Ferris State,
he later served as an assistant coach in the GLIAC at then fellow conference member
Northwood University.
Rex Schuberg (Track and Field, 1974-78, Benefactor) – A longtime benefactor of Ferris
State University, Schuberg competed for the Bulldogs in track and field in the 1970s.
He graduated from Ferris State in 1978 and served eight years on the FSU Alumni Board,
including a term as president from 1998-2000. He received the Distinguished Alumni
Award from the institution in 1994 and has actively supported Bulldog Athletics and
the university in the local community. Schuberg has been a member of the Ferris’ President’s
Society and a former chair of the Gridiron Club. He and his son, Tyler, who is a Bulldog
Football alum, were honored as grand marshals of the 2015 homecoming celebration.
His other son, Kyle, also competed in track and field at Ferris State University.
The Big Rapids native was one of the Bulldogs’ top performers during his collegiate
career on the track. Schuberg is also a member of the Mecosta County Sports Hall of
Fame and has been a prominent businessman in the Big Rapids community.
Justin Zimmer (Football (2011-15) – A standout defensive tackle, Zimmer helped lead
the Bulldogs to back-to-back GLIAC Championships in 2014 and 2015 as one of the nation’s
top linemen on the defensive front. He finished his career as a three-time All-GLIAC
First Team selection for the Bulldogs and was also chosen to the 2015 CoSIDA Academic
All-America First Team squad, making him a three-time Academic All-American and two-time
first-team recipient. Statistically, Zimmer led the Bulldogs in tackles (81), quarterback
sacks (13), tackles for loss (26) and forced fumbles (4) as a senior standout.
He helped lead the Bulldogs to back-to-back unbeaten regular seasons and the first
two NCAA D2 Playoff appearances under head coach Tony Annese. Zimmer went on to enjoy
a professional career in the National Football League with the Buffalo Bills, New
Orleans Saints, Atlanta Falcons, Cleveland Browns and Miami Dolphins along with spending
time in the Canadian Football League. He finished his Ferris State career with 216
tackles, 26 sacks, 48.5 tackles for loss, an interception, a touchdown, 14 pass deflections,
nine forced fumbles, one fumble recovery and three blocked kicks. Zimmer was also
a two-time All-America choice on the field for the Bulldogs as FSU began a nation-leading
playoff streak that continues to this day.
Rutgers track and field qualified eight of its athletes to compete in the 2025 NCAA Division I Outdoor Track and Field Championships, which will take place Wednesday, June 11 through Saturday, June 14 at Hayward Field in Eugene, Oregon. The eight qualifications are a school record, with the Scarlet Knights competing in men’s and women’s […]
Rutgers track and field qualified eight of its athletes to compete in the 2025 NCAA Division I Outdoor Track and Field Championships, which will take place Wednesday, June 11 through Saturday, June 14 at Hayward Field in Eugene, Oregon. The eight qualifications are a school record, with the Scarlet Knights competing in men’s and women’s competitions across disciplines on both the track and in the field.
Rutgers overcame several challenges during the NCAA East First Round, including weather delays, midnight start times because of the delays, and 95-degree temperatures in Jacksonville. However, as track and field director Bobby Farrell said to scarletknights.com, “None of that affected their focus and drive. Not only did we get eight out of 16 through to the NCAA Finals, but 13 out of 16 placed in the top 20. We came to compete.”
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The remarkable performances included several school records on the track. Charlee Crawford broke the Rutgers women’s 400-meter record twice, surpassing a 42-year-old record set by Lori McCauley in 1983 with a first heat time of 52.18. In the quarterfinals, she broke that record with a time of 51.80, breaking the 52-second mark.
Chris Serrao broke another school record in the men’s 110-meter hurdles, with a time of 13.49, surging past Eugene Norman’s previous record set in 1984. Bryce Tucker ran a time of 50 seconds flat to punch his ticket to the NCAA Championships. Crawford, Serrao, and Tucker will look to continue their performances and compete for podium finishes in Eugene.
Joining the track athletes are remarkable performers inside the oval. Chloe Timberg will look to defend her national title in the women’s pole vault after clearing a height of 4.24m (13’ 11”). In the men’s pole vault, Nico Morales and Kevin O’Sullivan will make their NCAA championship debuts after clearing heights of 5.33m (17’ 5.75”) in qualifiers.
Paige Floriea will also make her NCAA Championship debut in the long jump, with a qualifying mark of 6.22m (20’ 5”) in Jacksonville. Floriea is in her first season as a Scarlet Knight after transferring from UNC. To round out the field, Steve Coponi qualified on the first day of competition in the javelin toss, with a throw of 69.87m (229’ 2”) to secure his first trip to the national competition. To bring some perspective, that is the equivalent of more than 75 yards on a football field.
With track and field representing Rutgers in the final athletic competition of the 2024-25 school year, be sure to cheer on the Scarlet Knights as they compete on the national stage!
Story Links NEW ORLEANS, La. – The U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) announced its 2025 NCAA Division II All-American honors, and Colorado State University Pueblo Track & Field made a major impact with 10 student-athletes earning prestigious All-American recognition. Headlining the list was senior thrower Katherine Higgins, […]
NEW ORLEANS, La. – The U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) announced its 2025 NCAA Division II All-American honors, and Colorado State University Pueblo Track & Field made a major impact with 10 student-athletes earning prestigious All-American recognition. Headlining the list was senior thrower Katherine Higgins, who was also named the South Central Region Field Athlete of the Year by the USTFCCCA.
Higgins concluded a dominant season and career by capturing both the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference Championship and the NCAA Division II National Title in the shot put, where she recorded a personal-best throw of 16.38 meters on her home turf in Pueblo, Colorado. In addition to her athletic prowess, Higgins received the Elite 90 Award, which honors the student-athlete at the national championships with the highest GPA, cementing her legacy as both a champion and a scholar. She graduates as a six-time All-American.
Joining Higgins on the women’s All-American list were:
Helen Braybrook – The junior mid-distance standout from England was the national runner-up in the outdoor 800 meters and the indoor national champion in the same event.
Febe Wessels – A junior, Wessels earned first-team All-American honors in the shot put, finishing fifth at nationals.
Keturah Templeman – The freshman made an immediate impact, earning second-team All-American honors in the javelin.
Leah Keisler – A first-year runner who captured the indoor national title and earned first-team All-American status outdoors in the 800 meters.
Margot Thomas-Gatel – A fan favorite and fifth-year senior from France, Thomas-Gatel closed out her ThunderWolves career with a sixth-place finish in the 3,000-meter steeplechase, claiming first-team All-American honors.
On the men’s side, CSU Pueblo collected four All-American awards:
Reece Sharman-Newell – The elite mid-distance runner claimed the national championship in the 1,500 meters, earning first-team All-American honors.
Jon Sweepe – The sophomore grabbed second-team All-American honors in the 1,500 meters.
Tim Anstett – Delivered a strong performance in the 800 meters to claim first-team All-American recognition.
Emil Meggle – The sophomore rounded out the group with second-team All-American honors in the 800 meters.
With 10 total All-American honors, a national champion on each side, and regional and academic accolades, CSU Pueblo Track & Field continued to assert itself as a national powerhouse in NCAA Division II athletics
For the second time in her collegiate career, Seeley Lake native Klaire Kovatch is headed to her sport’s biggest stage after clinching another trip to the NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships in Eugene, Oregon from June 11-14. Kovatch, now a junior at Colorado State, earned her trip by placing 12th in the discus at […]
For the second time in her collegiate career, Seeley Lake native Klaire Kovatch is headed to her sport’s biggest stage after clinching another trip to the NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships in Eugene, Oregon from June 11-14.
Kovatch, now a junior at Colorado State, earned her trip by placing 12th in the discus at the West Regional meet in College Station, Texas this past weekend. Her throw of 178-2 on her second attempt was good enough to earn the 12th and final qualifying spot from the regional meet.
The Seeley-Swan high school graduate will be seeded 23rd out of 24 throwers at nationals later this month, however her top throw of the season would put her inside of the top 10 competitors; She set a career-best mark of 190 feet in the discus while winning a Mountain West Conference title in the event just two weeks prior.
The top seeded thrower for women’s discus at nationals this year is Louisville senior Jayden Ulrich who registered a toss of 212 feet, 7 inches at regionals.
Kovatch previously advanced to Outdoor nationals in 2023 as a redshirt freshman, finishing 21st overall in Eugene that season with a mark of just under 170 feet.
Prior to her time at Colorado State, Kovatch won three class C state titles in the discus at Seeley-Swan. She likely would have won four if not for COVID cancelling her junior season. She was also named the Montana Gatorade Girls Track & Field Player of the Year for 2020-21.
Kovatch will be in action on the final day of the NCAA Championships, with the women’s discus throw scheduled for 1:30 p.m. on Saturday, June 14.
LONG BEACH, Calif. — Long Beach State outfielder Kyle Ashworth has been named to the Collegiate Sports Communicators (CSC) Academic All-District team, the organization announced on June 3. Ashworth, a graduate student, earned the honor for the first time after leading the Dirtbags in several offensive categories and being named Second Team All-Big West. He […]
LONG BEACH, Calif. — Long Beach State outfielder Kyle Ashworth has been named to the Collegiate Sports Communicators (CSC) Academic All-District team, the organization announced on June 3.
Ashworth, a graduate student, earned the honor for the first time after leading the Dirtbags in several offensive categories and being named Second Team All-Big West. He hit .330 on the season and led the team in runs (43), hits (64), doubles (12), total bases (86), and on-base percentage (.456). He tied for the team lead in triples (2) and was second in RBI (35).
The Santa Ana, Calif., native hit both of his home runs in a Feb. 23 game against Seattle U, driving in seven runs. He finished the year with 20 multi-hit games, including seven three-hit performances, and nine multi-RBI games.
Ashworth was also perfect defensively, finishing the season without an error in 117 chances. In Big West play, he led the conference in on-base percentage (.507) and ranked among the top five in batting average (.393), walks (22), hits (46), and doubles (10).
Off the field, Ashworth earned a bachelor’s degree in consumer affairs in 2024 and is pursuing a single subject teaching credential in social science.
To qualify for Academic All-District honors, student-athletes must maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.50 or higher and meet performance standards in their sport. Ashworth now moves onto the CSC Academic All-America ballot.
~#LongBeachBuilt~
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