OMAHA, Neb. – The Maverick Awards, Omaha Athletics' marquee event honoring its student-athletes, returned after a one-year hiatus on Sunday.
In a first dictated by the COVID pandemic, the event was pre-recorded and broadcast worldwide at Omavs.com, on Facebook and Twitter.
In another first, two student-athletes shared the Don Leahy Senior Career Achievement Award for outstanding four-year athletic, academic and community service careers. Men's soccer player Stevie Siy and men's basketball player Matt Pile were the co-winners of the award, named for former athletic director Don Leahy and sponsored by the Blue Line Club.
Anna Blaschko of the Omaha volleyball team took home the
Connie Claussen Senior Career Achievement Award for her outstanding four-year athletic, academic and community service career at UNO. It is named after athletic director amerita
Connie Claussen who created women's athletics at UNO. The award is sponsored by the Leland and Dorothy Olson Foundation.
Junior Sadie Limback won the Female Athlete of the Year Award for her outstanding season for the Omaha volleyball team. The Male Student Athlete of the Year Award, sponsored by the Maverick Board, went to Chris Esposito of the Omaha baseball team.
Junior Sheridan Rodriguez of the track & field team earned the Female Newcomer of the Year Award. The award is sponsored by Center Trophy. The Male Newcomer of the Year Award, sponsored by Control Services, went to Hugo Kametani of the NCAA-bound men's soccer team.
The Bob Kruger Commitment Award which recognizes outstanding community service by a UNO student-athlete went to Nolan Sullivan of the UNO hockey team. The Dr. John Langan Award, given to the student-athlete who has overcome adversity to contribute to their team, was earned by Sydney Schneider of the swimming & diving team. The award is sponsored by Aksarben Cinema.
The Maverick Muscle Awards, given to one male and female student-athlete, recognize outstanding achievement in strength and conditioning. Juliana Chagas of the women's basketball team picked up the female award, sponsored by Curzon Promotional Graphics. Kevin Conley of the hockey team took home the men's award which is sponsored by the 6th Mav Club.
Also, UNO head athletic trainer
Mike Nicola earned the Director's Award which is given to a member of the campus community or greater Omaha who has made significant contributions to the success of UNO Athletics. In conjunction with campus and UNMC, Nicola made sure the department had the latest COVID-19 guidance and helped the department be more efficient in its care of our student-athletes.
The event also featured recognition of outstanding academic achievement by all UNO student-athletes as well as "social awards" that were voted on by fans through social media.
The night was co-hosted by
Lindsey Ekwerekwu, Associate Athletic Director and Senior Woman Administrator and
Dani Brooke, Director of Student-Athlete Development.
