East Lansing, Mich. – Michigan State Athletics has announced its All-Sports Awards winners for the 2023-24 season. The awards include the George Alderton Male and Female Athletes of the Year, Chester Brewer Leadership Award, Dr. James Feurig Achievement and Service Award, the Big Ten Conference Medals of Honor and the Big Ten Conference Outstanding Sportsmanship Award winners. A panel of administrators and athletics department staff selected the winners.
George Alderton Co-Male Athletes of the Year–Heath Baldwin(men's track & field) / Ozan Baris (men's tennis)
George Alderton Female Athlete of the Year–Skyla Schulte(gymnastics)
Chester Brewer Leadership Award–Nash Nienhuis(men's ice hockey)
Dr. James Feurig Achievement and Service Award– Ashley Harlock (field hockey)
Big Ten Conference Medal of Honor (Male)–Jack Frank (baseball)
Big Ten Conference Medal of Honor (Female)–Justina Gaynor(soccer)
Big Ten Conference Outstanding Sportsmanship Award (Male)–Nicolas Muller(hockey)
Big Ten Conference Outstanding Sportsmanship Award (Female)–Macy Lee(softball)
GEORGE ALDERTON CO-MALE ATHLETE OF THE YEAR
(Presented to top male athlete of 2023-24)
Co-Winner: Heath Baldwin (men's track & field)
For the second-straight year, Heath Baldwin rewrote the Michigan State track & field history book for the MSU squad. In his final season as a Spartan, he broke a total of five school records, earning First-Team All-America honors and a runner-up finish at the NCAA Indoor Championships.
Baldwin did not compete at the NCAA Outdoor Championships in order to prepare for the U.S. Olympic Trials. At the NCAA East First Round in Lexington, Kentucky, he competed in the 110m hurdles. The Kalamazoo, Michigan native's time of 13.71 was an MSU school record, knocking off Will Agodu's 2019 time of 13.75. Baldwin now owns five school records, all broken this year: 110m hurdles, 60m hurdles, javelin, the heptathlon and the decathlon. Baldwin ties former All-American Morgan Beadlescomb (2018-22) for the most individual program records at five.
The highlight of Baldwin's outdoor season was 8,470 points earned in the decathlon at the Mt. SAC Relays in April in Torrance, Calif. The 8,420 points ranks third among all athletes in the United States in 2024 and earns him a spot in the upcoming United State Olympic Trials. It also broke a Big Ten record and his own school record.
He rounded out his MSU career earning Great Lakes Region Outdoor Field Athlete of the Year.
During the indoor season, he was the runner-up in the heptathlon at the NCAA Indoor Track & Field Championships in Boston in March. Not only was Baldwin's score of 6,238 points a school record, but it was also the Big Ten record, sixth-best of all time and made him the U.S. No. 1 in the event at the time.
Prior to notching four personal bests at the national championships, the 2023 MSU Athletics George Alderton Male Athlete of the Year posted a school record in the 60m hurdles on the way to the podium at the B1G Championships (2/23-24), also scoring points in the high jump.
Baldwin qualified for the NCAA Championships on his first and only attempt of the season back in January when he won the heptathlon title at the competitive PNC Lenny Lyles Invite (1/26-27). During the meet he broke the Norton Healthcare SLC facility record in the heptathlon shot put (15.73m) while finishing in the top four of each of the seven events. In addition, he was named the Great Lakes Region Indoor Field Athlete of the Year.
Baldwin was also a standout in the classroom in 2023-24, earning Academic All-Big Ten and College Sports Communicators (CSC) Academic-All District nods. He is pursuing his masters in marketing research & analytics.
Baldwin is the sixth track & field athlete to earn the George Alderton Male Athlete of the Year Award and the second to win back-to-back honors since Tim Ehrhardt (2017-18).
Co-Winner: Ozan Baris (men's tennis)
In a year full of firsts, it's only fitting that Ozan Baris is the first Michigan State men's tennis student-athlete to be named the George Alderton Athlete of the Year
The hometown Spartan out of Okemos, Mich., entered his sophom*ore season already as one of the most decorated men's tennis players in MSU history. As a freshman, Baris captured Freshman of the Year and First Team All-Conference accolades from the Big Ten before earning a bid to the NCAA Championships in both doubles and singles, where he became an All-American alongside doubles partner Max Sheldon.
A highly anticipated sophom*ore season awaited Baris, and he delivered. In the fall, capturing the singles title at the Battle in the Bay Tournament and finishing second at the ITA All-American Championships in singles play, completing the fall with a 13-3 record, with eight of his victories over ranked opponents. The highlight of Baris' fall season came at the ITA Fall National Championships, where he and Sheldon captured the program's first-ever national doubles title.
Baris earned a spot on the All-Big Ten First Team for the second-straight year and was named the program's first Big Ten Player of the Year in the spring after posting a 14-3 singles record during the regular season, including a perfect 6-0 record against B1G opponents. He also recorded a 12-6 regular season record in doubles play. He led the Spartans to the semifinals of the Big Ten Tournament, MSU's first appearance since the tournament switched to a single-elimination format in 1999.
Baris was selected to the NCAA Championships alongside Sheldon in doubles for the second-straight year, where the pair fell in the first round to the No. 2 overall doubles team. He earned the No. 8 overall seed in the NCAA Singles Championship and made a historic run to the national semifinals, becoming the first in program history to do so, finishing the season with an overall record of 32-7 and as the program's first two-time All-American.
He finished the year ranked No. 5 in the final ITA singles rankings, a program-high, and 22nd in doubles with Sheldon.
Baris helped lead a resurgence for an MSU men's tennis program in 2023-24 that reached the NCAA Tournament for just the second time in program history, securing the program's first NCAA Tournament victory. The Spartans also captured a program-high 23 wins.
A standout in the classroom, Baris holds a near-perfect 3.908 cumulative GPA and was named the program's fourth-ever First Team Academic-All American by the College Sports Communicators (CSC) in 2024.
He is the first MSU tennis student-athlete, male or female, to win the George Alderton Athlete of the Year Award.
PAST WINNERS - ALDERTON MALE ATHLETE OF THE YEAR:
2023-Heath Baldwin (track & field); 2022-Kenneth Walker III (football); 2021-Morgan Beadlescomb (cross country/track & field); 2020-Cassius Winston (basketball); 2019-Cassius Winston (basketball); 2018-Miles Bridges (basketball) and Tim Ehrhardt (track & field); 2017-Tim Ehrhardt (track & field); 2016-Denzel Valentine (basketball); 2015-Jake Hildebrand (hockey); 2014-Darqueze Dennard (football); 2013-Le'Veon Bell (football); 2012-Draymond Green (basketball); 2011-Greg Jones (football); 2010-Greg Jones (football); 2009-Franklin Gomez (wrestling); 2008-Jeff Lerg (hockey); 2007-Jeff Lerg (hockey); 2006-Brad Gebauer (track & field); 2005-Nick Simmons (wrestling); 2004-Jeff Smoker (football); 2003-Charles Rogers (football); 2002-Paul Terek (track & field); 2001-Ryan Miller (hockey); 2000-Mateen Cleaves (basketball); 1999-Mateen Cleaves (basketball) and Mike York (hockey); 1998-Chad Alban (hockey); 1997-Reid Friedrichs (soccer); 1996-David Morgan (wrestling); 1995-Shawn Respert (basketball); 1994-Emilio Collins (wrestling); 1993-Bryan Smolinski (hockey); 1992-Anthony Hamm (cross country/track & field); 1991-Steve Smith (basketball); 1990-Kip Miller (hockey) and Percy Snow (football); 1989-Bobby Reynolds (hockey); 1988-Todd Krumm (football/baseball); 1987-Don McSween (hockey); 1986-Mike Donnelly (hockey), Lorenzo White (football), Scott Skiles (basketball); 1985-Sam Vincent (basketball); 1984-Carl Banks (football); 1983-Ron Scott (hockey); 1982-Ron Scott (hockey).
GEORGE ALDERTON FEMALE ATHLETE OF THE YEAR
(Presented to top female athlete of 2023-24)
Winner: Skyla Schulte (gymnastics)
As Michigan State gymnastics continues to reach new heights, so does Skyla Schulte.
The junior from Bolingbrook, Ill. put together one of the most impressive seasons in program history in 2024, capping off her historic year with an All-American finish at the NCAA Championships in April after leading the Spartans to their first Big Ten Championship title and second-straight regular season crown.
Schulte competed in the all-around in all but three meets in 2024, capturing the all-around title in seven of those meets while adding 12 individual event titles for a team-leading 19 titles throughout the season. She earned a season-high 39.600 in the all-around on four occasions while tying career highs on beam (9.950) and floor (9.9750) and scored season highs of 9.875 on vault and 9.925 on bars. Schulte also collected her third First Team All-Big Ten nod, becoming the third gymnast in program history to earn three first-team honors from the conference and was named the league's gymnast of the week three times.
At the Big Five Meet in February, Schulte helped the Spartans to victories over Minnesota, Nebraska, Ohio State and Rutgers to complete an undefeated regular season in the Big Ten, becoming the first team to go undefeated in conference action since 2022 and fourth team overall. The title was MSU's first outright crown after earning a share of the regular season title in 2023.
Schulte found herself hoisting a Big Ten trophy with her team again exactly one month after winning the conference regular season title at the Big Ten Championships in March. MSU narrowly edged out second-place Minnesota, 197.600-197.500, in front of a sold-out Jenison Field House crowd to win the program's first championship title. Schulte also topped the podium in the all-around, winning MSU's first Big Ten all-around title, and earned a share of the floor title.
MSU finished fourth at the NCAA Gainesville Regional Final after advancing to its third-straight regional final. A 9.900 on floor in the regional second round from Schulte secured a trip to the NCAA Championships in Fort Worth, Texas, for the second time in her career. She earned a 9.925 in Fort Worth to collect NCAA Second Team All-America honors, becoming MSU's first All-American on the event and first to capture multiple NCAA All-America honors after earning second-team honors on beam in 2022.
Schulte is just the third MSU gymnast to be named the George Alderton Female Athlete of the Year and first in 31 years, joining Michelle Ingalls (1988) and Jodi Blotcher (1993).
PAST WINNERS - ALDERTON FEMALE ATHLETE OF THE YEAR:
2023-Lauren Kozal (soccer); 2022-Jenna Magness (track & field/cross country); 2021-Jenna Magness (track & field/cross country); 2020-Annie Fuller (track & field) and Valery Plata (golf); 2019-Asya Reynolds (track & field) and Ally Geer-Park (golf); 2018-Sarah Burnham (golf); 2017-Sarah Burnham (golf) and Tori Jankoska (basketball); 2016-Aerial Powers (basketball); 2015-Leah O'Connor (cross country/track & field); 2014-Allyssa Ferrell (golf); 2013-Caroline Powers (golf) and Beth Rohl (track & field); 2012-Laura Heyboer (soccer) and Caroline Powers (golf); 2011-Emily MacLeod (cross country/track & field) and Caroline Powers (golf); 2010-Floor Rijpma (field hockey); 2009-Nicole Bush (cross country/track & field); 2008-Sara Brown (golf); 2007-Sara Brown (golf); 2006-Liz Shimek (basketball); 2005-Kristin Haynie (basketball); 2004-Jamie Krzyminski (cross country/track & field); 2003-Michelle Carson (cross country) and Jamie Krzyminski (cross country/track & field); 2002-Emily Bastel (golf); 2001-Summer Mitchell (swimming & diving); 2000-Emily Bastel (golf); 1999-Carrie Carpenter (softball); 1998-Jill Lusher (field hockey); 1997-Sevatheda Fynes (track & field); 1996-Val Sterk (volleyball); 1995-Karen Winslow (soccer); 1994-Susan Francis (track & field); 1993-Jodi Blotcher (gymnastics); 1992-Misty Allison (cross country/track & field); 1991-Julie Farrell-Ovenhouse (swimming & diving); 1990-Julie Farrell (swimming & diving); 1989-Julie Farrell (swimming & diving); 1988-Michelle Ingalls (gymnastics); 1987-Odessa Smalls (track & field); 1986-Mary Schoenle (swimming & diving); 1985-Kelly Becker (volleyball); 1984-Deanne Moore (softball); 1983-Judi Brown (track & field); 1982-Molly Brennan (track & field).
CHESTER BREWER LEADERSHIP AWARD
(Presented to a graduating senior in his or her last year of eligibility for distinguished performance in athletics and scholarship and for possessing a high degree of leadership qualities and skill.)
Winner: Nash Nienhuis (men's ice hockey)
The 78th different player to be named the captain of the Spartans and an alternate captain as a junior, Nash Nienhuis' work ethic and leadership helped bring Michigan State hockey back into the national spotlight. From seventh-place finishes during his freshman and sophom*ore seasons to Big Ten regular-season and tournament titles and a spot in the NCAA regional final in 2023-24, the hockey program grew by leaps and bounds over the last two seasons when Nienhuis was part of the leadership group helping to set and raise the standards in the dressing room.
A selection to the Big Ten All-Tournament team after a thrilling overtime victory at Munn Arena over Michigan, Nienhuis completed his career with a season that established his career best in points (24) and assists (15), and scored more goals (9) than he had in his first three seasons combined. Helping guide the on-ice development of freshman phenom Artyom Levshunov, Nienhuis finished at +20, good for second on the team and blocked 30 shots, third among Spartan blueliners, while tying for third in the Big Ten in game-winning goals (4). He appeared in 131 career games on the Spartan blueline, with a 16-45-61 scoring line (3 ppg, 6 gwg).
Nienhuis' leadership and work ethic was acknowledged in every season of his career with team awards – the team's Outstanding Rookie in 2020-21, he was the team's Most Improved Player as a sophom*ore and was the recipient in 2022-23 of both the Spartan Fitness Award and the Dave Carrier Award, which is awarded in honor of the Spartans' longtime athletic trainer and acknowledges the "comeback player" who overcame injury or adversity throughout the season. As a senior, his teammates voted him the team's Dr. John Downs Outstanding Defensive Player and the Bill Burgess Outstanding Senior.
The standards he set for future players came both on and off the ice. A three-time Academic All-Big Ten selection and two-time College Sports Communicators Academic All-District selection, he was also the 2024 recipient of the team's Blue Line Club President's Award as the senior with the highest grade-point average.
Nienhuis is the sixth hockey player to earn the Chester Brewer Leadership Award. Previous hockey winners are Jeff Lerg (2009), Adam Hall (2002) Mike Gilmore (1992), Kelly Miller (1985) and Tom Ross (1976).
PAST WINNERS - CHESTER BREWER LEADERSHIP AWARD:
2023-Nala Barlow (women's track & field); 2022-Jack Winkler (tennis); 2021-Joshua Langford (basketball); 2020-Gabriella Douglas (gymnastics); 2019-Khari Willis (football) and DeJuan Jones(soccer); 2018-Lourawls "Tum Tum" Nairn Jr. (basketball); 2017-Dan Durkin (baseball); 2016-Jack Allen (football); 2015-Kori Moster (volleyball); 2014-Kristen Kelsay (volleyball); 2013- Caroline Powers (golf); 2012-Kirk Cousins (football); 2011-Brandon Eckerle (baseball); 2010-Kelly Moffitt (gymnastics); 2009-Jeff Lerg (hockey); 2008-Ryan Brehm (golf); 2007-Taren James (track & field); 2006-R.J. Boudro (wrestling); 2005-Kristin Haynie(basketball); 2004-Allison Fouch (golf); 2003-Sandy Lewis (softball); 2002-Adam Hall (hockey); 2001-Ann Cieszkowski (soccer); 2000-Leah Nilsson (cross country/track & field); 1999-Melissa Pryor (field hockey); 1998-Kyle Baker (cross country); 1997-Dana Cooke (volleyball) and Tamika Matlock (basketball); 1996-Courtney DeBolt (volleyball); 1995-Eric Snow (basketball); 1994-Rob Fredrickson (football); 1993-Steve Johnson (baseball); 1992-Mike Gilmore (hockey); 1991-Becky Belanger (volleyball) and Eileen Shea (basketball); 1990-Chris Willertz (football); 1989-Sheila Ovenhouse (softball); 1988-Pat Shurmur (football); 1987-Shane Bullough (football); 1986-Anthony Bell (football); 1985-Kelly Miller (hockey); 1984-Michael Brown (swimming & diving); 1983-Eliot Tabron (track & field); 1982-Shawn White (wrestling); 1981-Ray Stachowicz (football); 1980-Terry Donnelly (basketball); 1979-Rodger Bastien (baseball); 1978-Jeff Rudolph (gymnastics); 1977-Gary Domagalski (golf); 1976-Thomas Ross (hockey); 1975-No Award Presented; 1974-Val Washington (lacrosse); 1973-Jerry Sackmann (baseball); 1972-Greg Johnson (wrestling); 1971-Kim Hartman (cross country/track & field); 1970-Ronald Saul (football); 1969-Toby Towson (men's gymnastics); 1968-John Bailey (basketball/golf); 1967-Gary Dilley (swimming); 1966-Payton Fuller (soccer), James Curzi (gymnastics); 1965-Douglas Roberts (hockey/football); 1964-Sherman Lewis (track & field/football); 1963-George Azar (football/baseball); 1962-Stephen Johnson (men's gymnastics); 1961-William Steuart (swimming); 1960-Crawford "Forddy" Kennedy (cross country/track & field); 1959-Sam Williams (football); 1958-Dave Lean (cross country/track & field); 1957-Pat Wilson (football/basketball); 1956-Earl Morrall (football/baseball); 1955-John Matsock (football/baseball); 1954-Tom Yewcic (football/baseball); 1953-Bert McLachlan (swimming); 1952-Robert Carey (football/track & field/basketball); 1951-Everett Grandelius (football).
DR. JAMES FEURIG ACHIEVEMENT AND SERVICE AWARD
(Presented to a male or female graduating senior involved in athletics as a competitor or in a supporting role. The recipient should carry a minimum grade-point average of 3.0 or better, and in addition to athletic and academic success, demonstrate involvement in school/campus and community activities.)
Winner: Ashley Harlock (field hockey)
Ashley Harlock has excelled at the highest levels of athletics, academics, community service, and leadership throughout her MSU career. A three-time Big Ten Distinguished Scholar and Academic All-Big Ten recipient, she maintained a perfect 4.0 grade point average as a double major in neuroscience and human biology. In May, she graduated from MSU's Honors College and earned a spot on the Dean's List every semester at MSU. In addition, she was nominated by MSU for the prestigious Rhodes Scholarship and named a National finalist for the Marshall Scholarship. At the Student-Athlete Support Services Academic Gala, she was honored with both the President's Award (as the highest GPA of MSU's graduating student-athletes) and also the recipient of the prestigious Gwendolyn Norrell Community Service and Leadership Award.
In addition to being a 2023-24 team captain, Harlock's impact extended beyond her team as she dedicated numerous hours enhancing the college experience for her fellow student-athletes. She served as the President of the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee, actively participating in various community service activities such as the Student-Athlete Food Drive, Be The Match, and March is Reading Month. This year, she was also a member of the MSU Student Leadership Council, the MSU Athletic Council, and a representative on the Big Ten Student-Athlete Advisory Committee, showcasing her outstanding leadership and commitment to impacting those around her.
Harlockis pursuing a Neuroscience PhD program at the Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai in New York City.
PAST WINNERS – DR. JAMES FEURIG ACHIEVEMENT AND SERVICE AWEARD:
2023-Casey Mayes (baseball); 2022-Jack Winkler (tennis); 2021-Caroline Szabo (tennis); 2020-Scott Piper (swimming & diving); 2019-Bailey Higgins (field hockey); 2018-Lea Foerster (softball) and Jasper Koenen (tennis): 2017-Allyssah Fitterer (volleyball); 2016-Sarah Kovan (soccer); 2015-Ryan Keener (soccer); 2014-Kristen Kelsay (volleyball); 2013-Kevin Jackson (track & field); 2012-Jenilee Rathje (volleyball); 2011-Jenilee Rathje (volleyball); 2010-Ross Weaver (football); 2009-Katlyn Roggensack (gymnastics); 2008-Matthew McNichols (swimming & diving); 2007-John Masters (football); 2006-Taren James (track & field); 2005-Erin Carlson (soccer); 2004-Joe Tate (football); 2003-Brad Fast (hockey); 2002-Adam Hall (hockey); 2001-Deb White (field hockey); 2000-Jennifer Hanink (soccer); 1999-Melissa Pryor (field hockey); 1998-Dave Mudge (football); 1997-Stephanie Dueringer (cross country/track & field); 1996-Susan Gibson (soccer); 1995-Angela Howard (gymnastics); 1994-Mill Coleman (football); 1993-Molly West (tennis) and Chris Brown (track & field); 1992-Matt Steigenga (basketball); 1991-Jason Muzzatti (hockey); 1990-Dawna Wilson (gymnastics) and Todd Mercer (swimming & diving); 1989-Kelly Collister (volleyball); 1988-Keiko Timmerman (gymnastics); 1987-Kristen Nelson (swimming & diving) and Barry Fordham (basketball); 1986-John Wojciehowski (football); 1985-Bob Fossum (golf) and Riney Wilke (lacrosse); 1984-Michael Brown (swimming & diving); 1983-Syd Wells (golf); 1982-Molly Brennan (track & field); 1981-Ivan Merritt (gymnastics); 1980-Michael Longaker (basketball); 1979-Kevin Willitts (lacrosse); 1978-Joan Garety (golf); 1977-Herb Lindsay (track & field/cross country).
BIG TEN CONFERENCE MEDAL OF HONOR
(Presented to a male and female student-athlete at each conference institution for outstanding athletic and academic achievement)
Male Winner: Jack Frank (baseball)
Jack Frank picked a good year to have a good year.
Entering his senior season, Frank had not hit over .300, nor done better in several other statistical categories, until 2024, his fifth and final season in the Green & White.
After opening the season by being named to the Big Ten Preseason Player To Watch and Bobby Bragan National Collegiate Slugger Award Preseason Watch Lists, Frank went out and proved the prognosticators correct.
A native of Strongsville, Ohio, Frank led the Big Ten in B1G only games with a .439 average, as well as a .509 on-base percentage in B1G only games, ranking second in the league. He also posted a .724 overall slugging percentage and a 1.233 in B1G only games, both also ranking second in the conference, in addition to a 1.089 OPS in all games, ranking fifth in the league. In overall games, Frank was tied for seventh in doubles (17). Frank knocked 11 doubles in B1G only games, also good for second, boosted by four doubles in the final weekend series of the weekend against Nebraska.
In the season finale, Frank went out with a bang in his final game as a Spartan, going 4-for-5 with two doubles, logging three RBI and two runs scored. With the four hits, Frank matched his jersey number with his team-leading 21st multi-hit game, as well as his fourth game with four hits, finishing with nine games with two hits, seven games with three hits, four four-hit outings and one five-hit game. He also had 10 games with multiple RBI.
Frank also had 19 stolen bases on the season, finishing fourth in the league overall.
One of three Spartans to start and play in all 51 games, Frank not only led the Spartans in average (.383), but also in slugging percentage (.573) and on-base percentage (.467), along with runs scored (55), hits (80), triples (3), home runs (9), stolen bases (19) and total bases (130), while ranking tied for first in doubles (17) and second in RBI (40).
Frank left his mark on MSU's career lists, including tied for No. 2 for doubles (48), No. 3 for runs (155), No. 5 for stolen bases (52), tied for No. 7 for home runs (26) and No. 10 for hits (226).
He also posted a season-long seven-game hitting streak in all games done twice, (March 17-27 and April 17-April 28), as well as 11-game hitting streak in B1G only games (April 19-May 11). Frank also had a stretch of reaching base in 13-consecutive at bats from April 21-27.
Frank earned the Bobby Bragan National Collegiate Slugger of the Week Award on May 1, and followed that honor up by being named Big Ten Player of the Week on May 6. He collected the MSU team awards as he was tabbed the recipient of both the John Kobs Most Valuable Player Award in addition to the Kirk Gibson Co-Offensive Player of the Year Award. Frank also earned First Team All-Big Ten accolades and was named an All-American DI Right Fielder by 64Analytics.
Frank is the second baseball student-athlete to win the Big Ten Medal of Honor in the last four years, joining former teammate Bryce Kelley, who won the accolade in 2021. Overall, Frank is the sixth player in program history to earn the award.
PAST WINNERS - BIG TEN CONFERENCE MEDAL OF HONOR MALE WINNERS:
2023-Cameron Caffey (wrestling); 2022-Morgan Beadlescomb (cross country/track & field); 2021-Bryce Kelley (baseball); 2020-Cassius Winston (basketball); 2019-Khari Willis (football); 2018-Jimmy Fiscus (soccer); 2017-Josiah Price (football); 2016-Jack Allen (football); 2015-Mike Sadler (football); 2014-Greg Wolfe (hockey); 2013-Jacob Jarzen (swimming and diving); 2012-Kirk Cousins (football); 2011-Brandon Eckerle (baseball); 2010-Blair White (football); 2009-Doug DeMartin (soccer); 2008-Drew Neitzel (basketball); 2007-Drew Stanton (football); 2006-Drew Stanton (football); 2005-Chris Hill (basketball); 2004-Steve Manz (track & field); 2003-Tyler Robinson (soccer); 2002-Josh Thornhill (football); 2001-Shaun Mason (football); 2000-Shawn Horcoff (hockey); 1999-Steve Schell (cross country/track & field); 1998-Tyler Harlton (hockey); 1997-Tyler Harlton (hockey); 1996-Brian Picklo (wrestling); 1995-Emilio Collins (wrestling); 1994-Steve Wasylk (football); 1993-Dave Smith (cross country/track & field); 1992-Stuart Hirschman (baseball); 1991-Walt Bartels (hockey); 1990-Walt Bartels (hockey); 1989-Danton Cole (hockey); 1988-Michael Davidson (baseball); 1987-Dean Altobelli (football); 1986-Don McSween (hockey); 1985-Carlton Evans (lacrosse); 1984-Kelly Miller (hockey); 1983-Michael Brown (swimming & diving); 1982-Morten Andersen (football); 1981-Jay Vincent (basketball); 1980-Mark Brammer (football); 1979-Gregory Kelser (basketball); 1978-Larry Bethea (football); 1977-Tyrone Willingham (football/baseball); 1976-Pat Milkovich (wrestling); 1975-Dennis Olmstead (hockey); 1974-Robert Cassleman (track & field); 1973-Kenneth Popejoy (track & field); 1972-Herb Washington (track & field); 1971-Thomas Muir (wrestling); 1970-Richard Saul (football); 1969-Allen Brenner (football); 1968-Dale Anderson (wrestling); 1967-Eugene Washington (football, track & field); 1966-Steve Juday (football); 1965-David Price (gymnastics); 1964-George (Pete) Gent (basketball); 1963-Richard Schloemer (fencing); 1962-Edward Ryan (football); 1961-William Reynolds (track & field/cross country); 1960-Stan Tarshis (gymnastics); 1959-Robert Anderegg (basketball); 1958-Robert Jasson (hockey); 1957-Selwyn Jones (track & field); 1956-Carl Nystrom (football); 1955-Kevan Gosper (track & field); 1954-Robert Hoke (wrestling); 1953-John Wilson (football); 1952-Orris Bender (wrestling); 1951-Everett Grandelius (football).
Female winner: Justina Gaynor (women's soccer)
After leading Michigan State women's soccer to its best postseason finish in program history while completing a perfect undergraduate career in the classroom, Justina Gaynor is this year's recipient of the Big Ten Conference Medal of Honor.
Gaynor put together a standout season in the Spartan midfield as a senior, starting in all 22 contests for the Spartans in 2023 and registering six goals and 12 assists to tie for a team-high 24 points. The Shelby Township, Mich. native scored at least one point in all but seven matches, while her 12 assists rank second in the MSU record book in single-season totals.
The 2023 Big Ten Midfielder of the Year, First Team All-Big Ten selection and United Soccer Coaches All-Region honoree played a crucial role in several of the Spartans' most historic moments of 2023. She notched a pair of assists in MSU's 3-0 win over Iowa in the Spartans' regular-season finale to clinch back-to-back Big Ten titles before tallying a goal and assist in MSU's opening-round victory in the NCAA Tournament over Ohio. MSU advanced to the third round of the NCAA Tournament for the first time in program history after Gaynor scored the game-winning goal in a 1-0 victory over Harvard.
With one season remaining in the Green and White, Gaynor has totaled 12 goals and 14 assists for 38 points as a Spartan.
Gaynor has also shined off the pitch, graduating with a perfect 4.0 in kinesiology this spring. She has earned Academic All-Big Ten and Big Ten Distinguished Scholar honors in each eligible season and collected United Soccer Coaches Third Team Scholar All-American accolades in 2022. Gaynor also made appearances on the College Sports Communicators (CSC) Academic All-District teams in 2022 and 2023 and was named a First Team Academic All-American by CSC in 2023, becoming the fourth Academic All-American in program history and second in the last two seasons.
Gaynor is the third women's soccer player to earn the Big Ten Conference Medal of Honor and second in two years, joining Abby Gardiner (2023) and Emily Coatney (1991).
PAST WINNERS - BIG TEN CONFERENCE MEDAL OF HONOR FEMALE WINNERS
2023-Abby Gardiner (soccer); 2022-Lea Mitchell (gymnastics); 2021-Amanda Ling (swimming & diving); 2020-Gabriella Douglas (gymnastics); 2019-Jessica Ling (gymnastics); 2018-Katelyn Daniels (track & field); 2017-Alexis Wiersma (cross country/track & field); 2016-Lisa Burt (gymnastics); 2015-Abby Barker (field hockey); 2014-Kristen Henn (field hockey); 2013-Caroline Powers (golf); 2012-Jenilee Rathje (volleyball); 2011-Aimee Neff (golf); 2010-Allyssa DeHaan (basketball); 2009-Sara Schmidt (rowing); 2008-Kate Burdick (rowing); 2007-Kristen Coleman (gymnastics); 2006-Liz Shimek (basketball); 2005-Veerle Goudswaard (field hockey); 2004-Michelle Carson (cross country/track & field); 2003-Stephanie Anisko (swimming & diving); 2002-Carly Weiden (swimming & diving) and Krista Buzzell (crew); 2001-Carly Weiden (swimming & diving); 2000-Carly Weiden (swimming & diving); 1999-Carrie Carpenter (softball); 1998-Melissa Pryor (field hockey); 1997-Val Sterk (volleyball); 1996-Patti Raduenz (softball); 1995-Laura Bell (cross country/track & field); 1994-Laura Bell (cross country/track & field); 1993-Ruth Aguayo (gymnastics); 1992-Misty Allison (cross country/track & field); 1991-Emily Coatney (soccer); 1990-Eileen Shea (basketball); 1989-Mary Schoenle (swimming & diving); 1988-Kim Hartwick (gymnastics); 1987-Lisa Marino (golf); 1986-Julie Polakowski (basketball); 1985-Kelly Belanger (basketball); 1984-Anne Pewe (cross country/track & field); 1983-Karen Wells (basketball); 1982-Lisa Speaker (golf).
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