La Crosse, Wis. - The University of Wisconsin-La Crosse Intercollegiate Athletics Department hosted its 11th Annual ESSLY Awards Tuesday, April 29 in Mitchell Hall Gymnasium.  ESSLY stands for "Eagle Sport, School, and Life Yearly Awards."  Student-athletes were honored in the areas of sport, school, and life.  Awards presented included recognition of captains, team community service, 4.00 students, scholar-athletes, academic All-Americas, four-year participants, All-Americas, individual national champions, and team national champions.

In addition, other awards presented included:   

 
Co-Female Athletes of the Year - Lauren Jarrett, Track & Field; Lauryn Milne, Basketball

Jarrett was named the 2025 U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) Indoor National and North Region Track Athlete of the Year. She was named the USTFCCCA Outstanding Track Performer at the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division III Indoor Championships after sweeping the 60 and 200-meter dash. It was her second career title in the 60-meter dash. She holds the NCAA record in the 60-meter dash with a time of 7.29.
 
Jarrett also set a school record in the 200-meter dash at the national championships with a time of 23.94. She is the only sprinter in UWL history to win the 60 and 200-meter dash.
 
Named the 2025 Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) Indoor Track Performer of the Meet, Jarrett won the 60 and 200-meter dash at the league championships. She also finished sixth in the 60-meter dash at the 2025 USATF Indoor Championships.
 
At the 2024 NCAA Division III Outdoor Championships, Jarrett won the 100 and 200-meter dash was a member of UWL's national title 4x100-meter relay. She is one of two student-athletes in UWL women's track & field history to win a pair of individual titles at the same championships.
 
Milne was named to the 2024-25 All-WIAC First Team after leading the Eagles in scoring at 15.5 points per game and rebounding with 6.4 per game. She finished in the top-eight in five categories in the WIAC, including second in three-point shooting and fourth in scoring. Milne was fifth in the league in field goal and free throw shooting and eighth in rebounding.
 

She became the 18th player in school history to score 1,000 career points and finished sixth all-time with 1,215 points. Milne was named to the 2024-25 D3hoops.com All-Region 9 Third Team. She finished her career as one of three players in school history to record at least 1,200 points and 500 rebounds.   
 
Co-Male Athletes of the Year – Grant Matthai, Cross Country/Track & Field; Jack Studer, Football
 
Matthai helped lead the cross country and indoor track & field teams to National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division III titles during the 2024-25 season. He placed third overall at the national cross country championship to earn All-America accolades. He also garnered all-region honors with a third-place finish as UWL captured the team title. At the WIAC Championships, Matthai won the individual title, recording the fastest time in league history by four seconds. UWL also took the team championship. He was second at the Jim Drews and Indiana State Invitationals this year while placing third at the Notre Dame Invitational.
 
Matthai earned a pair of NCAA Division III All-America honors at the indoor track & field championships, including capturing the national title in the 5,000-meter run. He became the second runner in school history to win the crown and first since 1989. Matthai also placed fourth in the 3,000-meter run at this year's national championships. He won the 5,000-meter run at the 2025 WIAC Indoor Championships.  He was also a member of the national champion outdoor track & field squad in 2024 as he earned All-America honors with a seventh-place finish in the 5,000-meter run. 

 
Studer was named to the 2024 D3football.com All-Region 6 Second Team after being selected to the All-WIAC First Team. Named a semifinalist for the 2024 Gagliardi Trophy, awarded to the most outstanding football player in NCAA Division III, Studer led UWL in receptions , yards and touchdowns. He led the WIAC in receiving yards and yards per catch while ranking second in receiving yards per game and third in receptions and receiving touchdowns.  
 
He had at least four receptions in 11 of 12 games with at least six catches in six contests. Studer was named the WIAC Offensive Player of the Week after finishing with seven catches for 154 yards and one touchdown in UWL's victory at NCAA Division II Northern Michigan University.
 
Studer is UWL's all-time leader in touchdown receptions and receiving yards while ranking second in career receptions. He was invited to the Green Bay Packers Rookie Minicamp after the NFL Draft.

Female Newcomer of the Year – Zoey Rank, Swimming & Diving

Rank was named the 2024-25 WIAC Newcomer of the Year. She won the 200 I.M. at the league championships while also finishing second in the 100 breaststroke and fourth in the 200 breaststroke. Ranks was on UWL's winning 200 and 400 medley relay at the WIAC Championships.

She was selected the WIAC Athlete of the Week for November 18-24 after leading UWL to the team title at the Luther College (Iowa) Invitational. She competed in the most events and scored the most points for the Eagles, winning the 100 I.M. and being a member of the first-place 400 medley relay.
 
Rank was one of four swimmers to compete at the 2025 NCAA Division III Championships.
 

Male Newcomer of the Year – Ty Schneider, Tennis

Schneider finished 15-7 in singles this season, tied for second in overall victories on the team. He went 14-6 in duals, including 10-2 at No. 2 singles. Schneider went 2-1 in singles at the Intercollegiate Tennis Association Midwest Invitational. 

He was named the WIAC Singles Player of the Week for March 17-23, finishing 3-1 on the Eagles' spring break trip while playing No. 1 singles. Schneider earned victories over Colby-Sawyer College, St. Lawrence University and the University of Scranton during the week. 
 
Schneider went 16-5 in doubles this year, including 3-1at No. 1, 11-2 at No. 2 and 2-1 at No. 3. He was selected the WIAC Doubles Team of the Week three times this year with Jack Hehli. 
 
Upset of the Year – Wrestling
 
UWL captured the NCAA Division III Region 7 Regional at Augsburg University (Minn.). The Eagles took the title with 192.5 team points while host Augsburg (Minn.) was second with 144.5. It was UWL's first regional championship in school history and impressively broke Augsburg's (Minn.) 21-year long winning streak, in its home gym.
 
Nine wrestlers advanced to the NCAA Division III Championships after earning bids at the regional meet. UWL won four individual weight classes at the regional championships, including Quintin Wolbert (125-pounds), Tanner Gerber (165), Ben Kawczynski (197) and Michael Douglas (285).
 
The four individual regional titles are the most in single-season school history. Gerber was named the Most Outstanding Wrestler, and UWL earned the NCAA Regional Coaching Staff of the Year Award. 

 
Moment of the Year – Men's Basketball
 
UWL had a historic year, not only breaking the school record for most wins in a single season with 25 victories, but they also advanced further in the NCAA Division III Tournament in school history. After winning first and second round games at the La Crosse Center, UWL defeated ninth-ranked Illinois Wesleyan University in Mitchell Hall to advance to the NCAA III Elite Eight for the first time in school history.

Comeback of the Year – Sara Beck, Gymnastics 

Beck has overcome extreme injuries that for many, would make it difficult to walk again, let alone continue your athletic career. But if you know her well, she's never one to take no for an answer.

After sustaining traumatic injuries to both ankles in December of 2023, she embarked on her recovery journey. One immediate surgery to clean and realign the joint, and a second two weeks later to repair the bones, in total resulting in five screws, one plate, two wires, and 22 stitches. She was non-weight bearing for three months after surgery, in a cast between surgeries, wore a splint for two weeks after the second surgery and then in a boot for three months after that, which was only the beginning. There was also a third surgery late last spring on her other ankle to repair various damage from this and previous injuries, adding more time in a boot and additional months of recovery. From there, she completed over nine months of rehab.

Still, determined to have her senior season, through all that recovery and rehab she was back to doing basics by August, and back to doing her full skills by January and making it into lineups at the start of season. She competed her personal best routine at the second meet of the year, and it sure was an incredible way to finish her successful career at UWL. Because if you thought all that sounded hard, she had to do it… twice. After that amazing routine, she suffered a second ankle injury that would bring her season to a close and add yet another surgery to the list.
 
True Grit Award – Women's Basketball
 
UWL earned the award for its courage, perseverance, staying the course, toughness, heart and how they found inspiration after the passing of Charlie, also known as Bubba, of head coach Moran Lonning and her husband, Alex.
 
The True Grit Award will now be called The Charlie Award. 
 
In Life Award – Sierra Rabe, Cross Country; Connor Cleveland, Swimming & Diving 

 
Student-athletes on the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee were asked to nominate a person from their team who demonstrates the characteristics of being a great teammate, someone who is a good leader for the team, and someone who has impact in other areas of campus or in the community. 
 
Cross Country on Rabe:
 
Rabe is the definition of an exceptional, well-rounded leader and captain and has been for our team through the last few years. She does an incredible job of making every person on the team feel welcome and valued. She has taught us that this sport is more than just running and showed us the kind of positive impact you can make on someone else. Her confidence, vulnerability and care has made us all better. There is no one more deserving of this award.
 
Swimming & Diving on Cleveland:

Cleveland has such an outgoing personality and willingness to lead in and out of the pool. A two-year team captain, and a three-time conference champion, he excels at his sport, in school and life. Maintaining a 3.91 grade point average, he is involved in Pre-Med, Exercise Sport Science and Club Golf and has worked as a behavior technician for Impact. He does a great job of leading by example and showing other athletes how to act as an Eagle, making the Eagle award a fitting honor.

 
 

Students of the Year – Justine Bastyr, Volleyball; Reilly Eiynck, Swimming & Diving; Addie Pauling, Soccer 

Bastry is a double major in accounting and finance with a 4.00 cumulative grade point average. She is pursuing her CPA license and has accepted a position after graduation at an accounting firm in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Eiynck is a chemistry major with a 4.00 grade point average while earning this year's Murphy Award, earned by UWL's top graduating senior. She is attending Yale University (Conn.) next year on a full scholarship ride to pursue her Ph.D. 

Pauling is a majoring in recreational therapy with a psychology minor and 4.00 grade point average. She is currently completing an internship with the City of Colorado Springs Therapeutic Recreation program.

Faculty of the Year – Jennifer Miskowski, Biology Professor

Professor Miskowski was nominated by Lizzy Hanstedt from the soccer team.

Here are a few comments about Professor Miskowski:
 

Dr. Miskowski is more than just a professor—she is a mentor and a constant source of encouragement for her students. From a contagious passion for cell biology to using relatable sports analogies to explain complex concepts, she inspired curiosity in her students and created an environment where asking questions and truly understanding the material was always the priority.   

As a passionate sports fan, she understands the unique challenges that student-athletes face and goes out of her way to support us both academically and personally. She never saw our demanding schedules as an inconvenience but rather as a part of who we are, always willing to work with us to ensure we had the resources and flexibility to succeed.

 

When I tore my ACL, she went above and beyond to accommodate me during an incredibly difficult time. She allowed me to take my exams at different times to ensure I felt confident in the material rather than overwhelmed by the circumstances. That level of compassion and understanding is something I will always be grateful for and Dr. Miskowski embodies the very essence of this award.  

Highest Team Grade Point Average - Women's Track & Field

The women's track & field team earned the award for highest team cumulative grade point average at 3.570.
 
Outstanding Career Award – Ellie Arndt, Soccer; Sam Blaskowski, Track & Field; Mac Born, Baseball; Kyra Lard, Softball
 
Arndt played in 90 career games for the soccer team with 84 starts. She earned three United Soccer Coaches All-America honors, being selected to the first team in 2023 and 2024 and second team in 2022. Ellie also earned three United Soccer Coaches All-Region IX First Team honors.
 
Named the 2023 and 2024 WIAC Offensive Player of the Year, Arndt was a three-time all-conference first team choice. She ranks second in school history in career assists.
 
Arndt helped lead UWL to a 73-11-9 record in four years, an .833 winning percentage. The Eagles advanced to the NCAA Division III Tournament all four seasons, earning a bid to the 2021 quarterfinals and 2022 and 2023 third round.
 
She was named the 2024 WIAC Scholar-Athlete was a two-time United Soccer Coaches NCAA Division III Scholar All-America First Team selection. Arndt was voted the 2023 United Soccer Coaches Scholar Player of the Year. She also earned 2024 College Sports Communicators Academic All-America Second Team accolades.
 

Blaskowski has earned 20 career NCAA Division III All-America honors, including nine indoor and 11 outdoor. He won five national titles indoors, capturing three titles in the 60-meter dash and two in the 200-meter dash. Blaskowski has won six national titles at the outdoor championships, taking three crowns in 100-meter dash and one in 200-meter dash. He was also a member of the two national title winning 4x100-meter relays.
 
He was named the 2024 National Indoor and Outdoor Track Athlete of the Year and the 2025 Indoor National Athlete of the Year. Blaskowski is a five-time Region Track Athlete of the Year selection. 
 
He has won 10 WIAC individual titles, including six indoor and four outdoor. Blaskowski was selected the 2022 and 2023 WIAC Indoor Track Performer of the Meet and the 2022 WIAC Outdoor Track Performer. He was also named the 2022 WIAC Indoor and Outdoor Newcomer of the Year.
 
Blaskowski competed at the United States Olympic Trials at Hayward Field in Eugene, Oregon. Blaskowski ran in both the 100 and 200 meter dash.
 
Born is a four-time All-WIAC selection, earning first team honors in 2022, 2023 and 2024. He was named to the 2024 D3baseball.com All-America Second Team and has earned D3baseball.com and American Baseball Coaches Association All-Region accolades the last three years.
 
He has helped lead UWL to a 146-66 record, a .689 winning percentage, while advancing to the 2023 NCAA Division III World Series and to the 2024 NCAA Division III Super Regional.
 
Born currently stands as UWL's career leader in at-bats, runs, hits, home runs and RBI.
Lard has started all 161 softball games in her four-year career at UWL. She is a three-time All-WIAC First Team selection and was named the 2024 WIAC Position Player of the Year. Lard was also named the 2022 WIAC Newcomer of the Year.
 
She has been selected to the 2022 and 2024 National Fastpitch Coaches Association All-Region Second Team.
 
Lard is first in school history in career doubles and RBI while ranking second in hits and batting average. She is third in career runs and home runs and fifth in at-bats. Lard helped lead UWL to the 2023 WIAC Tournament title and a berth in the NCAA Division III Championships.