INDIANA, Pa. - The IUP Department of Athletics announced the winners of the fifth annual Crimson & Gray Awards Thursday afternoon, honoring the top student-athletes, teams and performances from the pandemic-shortened 2021 athletic season. 

The awards were announced on the IUP Athletics' Twitter (@IUPCrimsonHawk) and Instagram (iupathletics) social media accounts. 

The awards celebrate the top performers of the 2020-21 regular and post seasons across 22 total categories — 11 men and 11 women. They recognize the best athletic performances by our student-athletes, coaches and teams, as well as individual and team academic accomplishments. 

Below are the award winners announced Friday:

Scholar-Athlete of the Year
Presented to men's and women's upperclassmen who have displayed a combination of success both on the playing field and in the classroom during their time at IUP.

Winners: Claire Mikesell (Women's Swimming) and Sam Lenze (Cross Country/Track & Field)

Academic Team of the Year
Presented to a men's and women's teams with the highest cumulative grade point average between the spring and fall semesters of 2019. 

Winners: Men's Golf (3.77), Women's Tennis (3.69)

Crimson Teammate of the Year
Presented to a student-athlete from each sport who inspires his or her teammates with the five pillars of the IUP Athletics vision: Experience, Leadership, Community, Excellence and Integrity.
 
Baseball: Nick Hess
Men's Basketball: Kyle Polce
Women's Basketball: Justina Mascaro
Men's Cross Country/Track & Field: Evan Weaver
Women's Cross Country/Track & Field: Erin McGrath
Field Hockey: Blaise Cugini
Football: Josh Dauberman
Men's Golf: Jeremy Eckenrode
Women's Lacrosse: Leah Hunter
Women's Soccer: Mahogany Willis
Softball: Hope Jones
Men's Swimming: Branden Hendricks
Women's Swimming: Rachel Johnson
Women's Tennis: Idoia Huerta
Women's Volleyball: Kylie Osborn

Coach of the Year
Presented to the men's and women's head coaches who did the most outstanding job leading his or her team.

Winners: Larry Peterson (Women's Tennis), Dan Braun (Men's Golf)

Performance of the Year
Presented to the student-athletes who had the most significant or extraordinary performance in a single game, event, or outing.

Winners: Luke Mikesell at NCAA Championships (Men's Swimming), Paige Mikesell at NCAA Championships (Women's Swimming)

Freshman of the Year
Presented to a true freshman or redshirt freshman men's and women's student-athlete who put together the best all-around season for a first-year college player.

Winners: Katy Graydon (Women's Tennis), Luke Mikesell (Men's Swimming)

Breakthrough Athlete of the Year
Presented to a first-year starter or first-time key contributor who has improved their season performance dramatically over the last year.

Winners: Austin Mueller (Baseball), Rachel Rodriguez (Softball)

Postseason Performer of the Year
Presented to the men's and women's student-athletes who put together the most significant combined performances in a PSAC or NCAA championship tournament/event.

Winners: Paige Mikesell (Women's Swimming), Luke Mikesell (Men's Swimming)

Senior of the Year
Presented to senior eligible men's and women's student-athletes who had the most successful individual seasons.

Winners: Sam Lenze (Cross Country/Track & Field), Kaitlyn Beers (Softball)

Team of the Year
Presented to the men's and women's teams who had the most outstanding seasons.

Winners: Women's Swimming, Men's Golf

Athlete of the Year
Presented to the men's and women's student-athletes, regardless of class eligibility, who had the best individual seasons.  

Winners: Paige Mikesell (Women's Swimming), Luke Mikesell (Men's Swimming)