University of Minnesota Athletics

Golden Goldys Set for Tonight
4/18/2022 8:57:00 AM | Athletics, Student-Athlete Development
The University of Minnesota athletics department is set to host the 16th-annual Golden Goldys awards ceremony, Monday, April 18 at Northrup Auditorium. Marking the first in-person Golden Goldys ceremony since 2019, the event is closed to the general public.
During the ceremony, Gopher Athletics will recognize student-athletes and their athletic and academic accomplishments throughout the season. Athletic awards handed out include the athletes of the year, rookies of the year, breakthrough performers, teams of the year and coach of the year. The voting includes spring sports of 2021 (baseball, men's and women's golf, rowing, softball, men's and women's outdoor track & field and tennis) and the fall and winter sports of the 2021-22 athletic year.
Along with the athletic accomplishments, the department will also honor and recognize the academic achievements of its 675 student-athletes. Academic awards include Gladys Brooks and Norman Borlaug Commitment to Academic Excellence Award, Richard "Pinky" McNamara Student-Athlete Achievement Award, Outstanding Academic Team Awards, Lindahl Academic Outstanding Student-Athlete Achievement Award and Land O'Lakes Outstanding Achievement Award in Leadership and Service award. Two Big Ten awards will also be handed out in the Postgraduate Scholarship and Big Ten Medal of Honor.
MEN'S ATHLETE OF THE YEAR
Gable Steveson, Wrestling
Max McHugh, Swimming & Diving
Ben Meyers, Hockey
Alec Basten, Cross Country/Outdoor Track & Field
Angus Flanagan, Golf
WOMEN'S ATHLETE OF THE YEAR
Sarah Bacon, Swimming & Diving
Stephanie Samedy, Volleyball
Lexy Ramler, Gymnastics
Taylor Heise, Hockey
Bethany Hasz, Cross Country/Track & Field
MEN'S ROOKIE OF THE YEAR
Justin Walley, Football
Bar Soloveychik, Swimming & Diving
Kostas Zaltos, Outdoor Track & Field
Matthew Knies, Hockey
WOMEN'S ROOKIE OF THE YEAR
Sara Kinch, Softball
Alanna Micheaux, Basketball
Abigail Schaaffe, Track & Field
Peyton Hemp, Hockey
MEN'S BREAKTHROUGH ATHLETE OF THE YEAR
Daniel Faalele, Football
Payton Willis, Basketball
Justen Close, Hockey
Jake Bergeland, Wrestling
WOMEN'S BREAKTHROUGH ATHLETE OF THE YEAR
Jenna Wenaas, Volleyball
Mya Hooten, Gymnastics
Megan Plaschko, Soccer
Abigail Boreen, Hockey
COACH OF THE YEAR
P.J. Fleck, Football
Sarah Hopkins, Cross Country
Matt Bingle, Track & Field
Bob Motzko, Men's Hockey
MEN'S TEAM OF THE YEAR
Football
Hockey
Wrestling
WOMEN'S TEAM OF THE YEAR
Gymnastics
Hockey
Indoor Track & Field
Volleyball
During the ceremony, Gopher Athletics will recognize student-athletes and their athletic and academic accomplishments throughout the season. Athletic awards handed out include the athletes of the year, rookies of the year, breakthrough performers, teams of the year and coach of the year. The voting includes spring sports of 2021 (baseball, men's and women's golf, rowing, softball, men's and women's outdoor track & field and tennis) and the fall and winter sports of the 2021-22 athletic year.
Along with the athletic accomplishments, the department will also honor and recognize the academic achievements of its 675 student-athletes. Academic awards include Gladys Brooks and Norman Borlaug Commitment to Academic Excellence Award, Richard "Pinky" McNamara Student-Athlete Achievement Award, Outstanding Academic Team Awards, Lindahl Academic Outstanding Student-Athlete Achievement Award and Land O'Lakes Outstanding Achievement Award in Leadership and Service award. Two Big Ten awards will also be handed out in the Postgraduate Scholarship and Big Ten Medal of Honor.
MEN'S ATHLETE OF THE YEAR
Gable Steveson, Wrestling
Max McHugh, Swimming & Diving
Ben Meyers, Hockey
Alec Basten, Cross Country/Outdoor Track & Field
Angus Flanagan, Golf
WOMEN'S ATHLETE OF THE YEAR
Sarah Bacon, Swimming & Diving
Stephanie Samedy, Volleyball
Lexy Ramler, Gymnastics
Taylor Heise, Hockey
Bethany Hasz, Cross Country/Track & Field
MEN'S ROOKIE OF THE YEAR
Justin Walley, Football
Bar Soloveychik, Swimming & Diving
Kostas Zaltos, Outdoor Track & Field
Matthew Knies, Hockey
WOMEN'S ROOKIE OF THE YEAR
Sara Kinch, Softball
Alanna Micheaux, Basketball
Abigail Schaaffe, Track & Field
Peyton Hemp, Hockey
MEN'S BREAKTHROUGH ATHLETE OF THE YEAR
Daniel Faalele, Football
Payton Willis, Basketball
Justen Close, Hockey
Jake Bergeland, Wrestling
WOMEN'S BREAKTHROUGH ATHLETE OF THE YEAR
Jenna Wenaas, Volleyball
Mya Hooten, Gymnastics
Megan Plaschko, Soccer
Abigail Boreen, Hockey
COACH OF THE YEAR
P.J. Fleck, Football
Sarah Hopkins, Cross Country
Matt Bingle, Track & Field
Bob Motzko, Men's Hockey
MEN'S TEAM OF THE YEAR
Football
Hockey
Wrestling
WOMEN'S TEAM OF THE YEAR
Gymnastics
Hockey
Indoor Track & Field
Volleyball
2025 Pro Day
Monday, November 24
Leadership Council Kickoff Retreat
Tuesday, November 04
2025 Sophomore Summits
Friday, April 11
Gopher Hockey Delivers Teddy Bears
Thursday, January 16



