(MSU Billings release)
BILLINGS - The Eighth Annual Buzzie Awards presented by the Montana State University Billings department of intercollegiate athletes was held on YouTube for the first time, due to health and safety concerns related to Covid-19.
Those who tuned in saw Amanda Hemmen win scholar athlete of the year and women’s soccer player of the year. Maddy Lincoln was a notable winner of comeback player of the year and was a crucial member of the pitching staff for softball during the shortened spring season.
Yellowjacket women’s basketball made a return to the Great Northwest Athletic Conference Championships this year, led by senior guard and women’s basketball player of the year Jeanann Lemelin. Nikki Aiken won women’s cross country player of the year for a record third time, and Tyler Green’s buzzer shot to defeat Central Washington at home garnered moment/play of the year honors.
The ‘Jackets acknowledged its fan of the year Will Moody and student support workers Will Heward, Rachel Lythgoe, and Emma Tucker for their hard work this season.
The captain of men’s soccer Luca Battistotti became the first defender to garner player of the year since Cameron Lee in 2014 and Garrett Woodin took home men’s golf player of the year for the third consecutive season as a senior.
Due to equity concerns and a shortened competition season for MSUB spring sports, certain categories were omitted from this year’s Buzzie Awards, including athlete of the year, coach of the year, and newcomer of the year.
Women’s basketball was honored with the Yellowjacket Award for Service for their event, Elementary School Day, which is nominated for the NCAA Division II Award for Excellence.
The entire Buzzie Awards show can be watched online HERE and a full listing of the 2020 Buzzie Award winners is listed below.
Baseball Player of the Year – Daniel Cipriano
Women’s Soccer Player of the Year – Amanda Hemmen
Softball Player of the Year – Skyler Jenkins
Volleyball Player of the Year – Bayli Monck
Men’s Basketball Player of the Year – Brendan Howard
Triathlon Athlete of the Year – Madisan Chavez
Women’s Basketball Player of the Year – Jeanann Lemelin
Men’s Golf Player of the Year – Garrett Woodin
Women’s Golf Player of the Year – Tierney Messmer
Men’s Soccer Player of the Year – Luca Battistotti
Men’s Track & Field Athlete of the Year – Mason Schram
Women’s Track & Field Athlete of the Year – Brenna Beckett
Men’s Cross Country Runner of the Year – Ronald Venema
Women’s Cross Country Runner of the Year – Nikki Aiken
Comeback Player of the Year – Maddy Lincoln
Male Student Athlete Advisory Committee Member of the Year – Kyle McLaughlin
Female Student Athlete Advisory Committee Member of the Year – Kalin Sandow
Student Support Worker of the Year (x3) – Will Heward, Rachel Lythgoe, Emma Tucker
Fan of the Year – Will Moody
Cheerleader of the Year – Jessica Gapay
Scholar Athlete of the Year – Amanda Hemmen
Game/Event of the Year – Jeanann Lemelin (School record 10 made 3-pointers at Seattle Pacific 2/22/20)
Moment/Play of the Year – Tyler Green (Game winning buzzer shot against Central Washington 1/11/20)
