RIVER FALLS, Wis. -- University of Wisconsin-River Falls student-athletes Michael Brown (football) and Maddie McCollins (women's hockey) were announced as the 2022-23 Male and Female Athletes of the Year on Tuesday evening during the annual Falcon Awards. The award winners were selected from a pool of nominated student-athletes from all 17 of UWRF's intercollegiate sport programs.

In addition, Yaih Marial from men's track & field and MaKenna Aure from women's hockey were selected as UWRF's 2022-23 Male and Female Newcomers of the Year.

Women's Hockey was selected as the Team of the Year.
 

FEMALE ATHLETE OF THE YEAR
The Dr. Emogene Nelson Female Athlete of the Year Award is presented each year to one female student-athlete that has demonstrated the greatest overall athletic achievement.  

The Female Athlete of the Year Award is named in honor of Dr. Emogene Nelson, who served as a coach, faculty member, and administrator at UW-River Falls from 1959-1982.  Dr. Nelson helped lead colleges and universities into the field of women's competitive sports and was the first woman inducted into the UW-River Falls Athletic Hall of Fame.  She is remembered as a true pioneer in physical education and competitive sports for women.

Maddie McCollins – Women's Hockey
McCollins was the USCHO Player of the Year and WIAC Co-Player of the Year this season and broke a UWRF program single-season record with 28 goals scored. She was one of 11 finalists for the AHCA Laura Hurd Player of the Year Award, and compiled 48 points to earn All-WIAC First Team Honors.

MALE ATHLETE OF THE YEAR
The Don Page Male Athlete of the Year Award is presented each year to one male student-athlete that has demonstrated the greatest overall athletic achievement.  

The Male Athlete of the Year Award is named in honor of Don Page, who served UW-River Falls from 1957-1992 as a teacher, coach, and administrator.  Don Page is remembered as an icon for the UW-River Falls athletic department.  He was an outstanding leader for thousands of Falcon coaches and student-athletes, and there is no one who has had a greater influence on Falcon athletics. 

Michael Brown – Football
Brown was the first UWRF football player to garner three separate All-America honors (D3football.com, Associated Press, AFCA) and started in all 11 games for the Falcons in 2022.

A finalist for the Cliff Harris Award, which honors the nation's top small college defensive player representing more than 5,000 defensive players from almost 500 NCAA Division II, Division III and NAIA colleges and universities, he led the WIAC with eight interceptions during the regular season, ranking second in NCAA Division III with 0.8 interceptions per game. He recorded multiple interceptions in three games this season, including a 40-yard interception for a touchdown versus UW-Stevens Point (Oct. 1).

NEWCOMERS OF THE YEAR
The Newcomer of the Year Award is presented each year to one male and one female student-athlete that has demonstrated the greatest overall achievement during their first year of athletic participation at UWRF. 

Male Newcomer of the Year – Yaih Marial – Men's Track & Field
Marial was the WIAC men's track & field indoor Newcomer of the Year, he earned All-WIAC honors with a 2.04-meter long jump at the WIAC Indoor Championships, finishing as a runner-up.

At the NCAA Indoor Championships, he finished ninth of 20 athletes in the men's high jump with a mark of six feet, 7.75 inches (2.03 meters), just shy off the top-eight All-America honors, just shy of his personal best.

Female Newcomer of the Year – MaKenna Aure – Women's Hockey
Aure was an All-WIAC First Team award winner and the league's Newcomer of the Year, becoming the third Falcon in program history to garner WIAC Newcomer of the Year laurels. She's just the third freshman in UWRF women's hockey history to earn All-America laurels, following Ali Slinden (2003) and Kait Mason (2011).

In 27 games played, Aure tallied 25 points with 11 goals and 14 assists. She scored her first two collegiate goals during the WIAC opener versus UW-Stevens Point and another at Northland (Nov. 11-12), and was named the WIAC Athlete of the Week. Aure's also scored three power play goals and a pair of game-winning goals, including the overtime game-winner to lead the Falcons to a 3-2 overtime win over No. 1-ranked Middlebury College to win the Cardinal/Panther Classic (Nov. 27).

"STUMP" FALCON AWARD
The Gary "Stump" Eloranta Falcon Award is presented each year to one SENIOR student-athlete, male or female, that has demonstrated the highest level of achievement in areas that embody the UWRF Athletic Department Core Values, including work ethic, integrity, leadership, and excellence.  

The Falcon Award is named in honor of Gary "Stump" Eloranta, who has served UW-River Falls as its athletic trainer since 1973 and has been a positive influence on thousands of Falcon student-athletes, coaches and athletic department personnel.  "Stump" has selflessly dedicated his time and effort to the betterment of Falcon athletics, and represents the can-do attitude and true Falcon spirit.

Sarah Langlois – Volleyball/Track & Field

SCHOLAR ATHLETES OF THE YEAR
This recognition is presented each year to one male and female student-athlete in their junior or senior year of athletic eligibility that has demonstrated high academic achievement, involvement in campus and community organizations, participation in leadership activities, and athletic achievement. 

The Female Scholar Athlete of the Year Award is named in honor of Dr. Connie Foster, who served UW-River Falls in many capacities from 1984-2009 as a coach, faculty member, athletic director, department chair, dean, interim provost, and twice named interim chancellor of the university.  Dr. Foster's dedication to UW-River Falls represents the work ethic, integrity, and leadership that are core values of Falcon athletics.

Sarah Langlois – Volleyball/Track & Field

• 3.991 cumulative GPA ... CSC Academic All-District Team ... 2020 Outstanding Academic Achievement Award .. Chi Alpha Sigma honor society ... 2022 Track Athlete of the Year ... 2021 Heart of the Team Award ... Volunter UWRF math tutor ... 3x WIAC Scholastic Honor Roll.

The Male Scholar Athlete of the Year Award is named in honor of Dr. George Field, who served as president and chancellor of UW-River Falls from 1968-1985.  During his tenure, Dr. Field provided leadership for numerous improvements to the athletic department, and he is remembered as one of the most effective and personable leaders in UW-River Falls history.

Sam Anzai - Men's Hockey

• 3.973 cumulative GPA ... 2023 UWRF Chancellor's Award Winner ... 2x All-WIAC Sportsmanship Team ... 3x WIAC Scholastic Honor Roll and AHCA All-American Scholar ... CSC Academic All-District Team ... Chi Alpha Sigma honor society ... Actuarial Club.