Athletics highlights student success on Sunday

TIFFIN -- In two separate events on Sunday, Heidelberg University Athletics recognized student-athletes for their extraordinary accomplishments in the classroom and in competition.  

During the afternoon, medallions for Gabbie Stallbaum and Drew Miller were unveiled on the Adams Academic All-America Plaza outside of Hoernemann Stadium. Stallbaum was named a College Sports Communicators Academic All-American following the 2025 season -- a year in which she became the softball program's all-time home run queen while maintaining a nearly flawless GPA as a health science major. Miller, a two-sport standout, earned his CSC Academic All-America laurels after football season, where he led the OAC in rushing yards.

The Adams Academic All-America Plaza commemorates the nearly 30 Heidelberg student-athletes who received the highly-coveted honor from CSC (formerly CoSIDA).

The evening featured the 11th annual Siggy Awards, presented by Heidelberg's Student-Athlete Advisory Committee. Hosted by Aaron Nelson, HU's Director of Student Affairs, the Siggys honored the top performances and performers from Spring 2025, Fall 2025 and Winter 2025-26. In total, 32 awards were doled out.

The highlight of the Siggys was the presentation of the Lifetime Achievement Award to Bob Youngblood '70.  

Full list of nominees (winners in bold):

Top Individual Performance in Game or Competition - Male
Owen Frizzell - Wrestling
James Henderson - Track
Drew Miller - Football

Top Individual Performance in Game or Competition - Female
Brooke Barnes - Golf
Amelia Lewin - Track
Sophia Simon - Volleyball

Breakthrough Athlete of the Year - Male
Austin Niederkohr - Football
Dylan Matusak - Baseball
Cody Springer - Soccer

Breakthrough Athlete of the Year - Female
Sophia Simon - Volleyball
Delaney Buxton - Swimming

Top Newcomer - Male
Andrey Pilipchuk - Swimming
Jarveil Gainey - Basketball
Sam Schneider - Baseball

Top Newcomer - Female
Carlie Hall - STUNT
Audrey Miracle - Wrestling
Tori See - Basketball

Comeback Athlete of the Year - Male
Joe Brewster - Cross Country/Track
Hassen Faraj - Soccer
Trey Killens - Basketball

Comeback Athlete of the Year - Female
Emma Dean - Softball
Baylie Phillips - Soccer
Vanessa Shanaman - Cross Country/Track

Senior Leadership - Male
Brady Bosma - Basketball
Owen Frizzell - Wrestling
Riley Gossom - Basketball

Senior Leadership - Female
Grace Dohanyos - Volleyball
Maddy McCall - Track
Olivia Perry - Soccer

The "Oh, Siggy!" Moment of the Year
Football: Ty Poorman's 99 yard touchdown pass to Dmitry Peters vs. Otterbein
Softball: Gabbie Stallbaum's Record tying & breaking home runs on the day of 2025 Siggy Awards
Women's Soccer: Syd Hewer's goal to cap a 4-3 comeback victory vs. Capital

SAAC Athletic Trainer of the Year
Brandon Gallimore
Lauren McGraw
Sarah Orr

SAAC Most Supportive Campus Community Member
Davey Briggs - Career & Academic Advising Coordinator
Dr. Robert Huntington - President
Dr. Morgan Kocher - Exercise Science professor and photographer

Head Coach of the Year
Chris Abrams - Men's Golf
Kiki Lorann - Women's Golf
Mike Summey - Men's Basketball

GA of the Year
Aly Brugh - Women's Soccer
Jason Faizy - Men's Basketball
Gabe Marks - Football

Most Supportive Team
Football
Softball
Women's Soccer

Team of the Year
Men's Basketball
Men's Golf
Women's Golf

Athlete of the Year - Male
Markell Johnson-Nichols - Basketball
Drew Miller - Football/Wrestling
Austin Niederkohr - Football

Athlete of the Year - Female
Brianna Braatz - Soccer/Track
Elli Mayer - Swimming
Gabbie Stallbaum - Softball