SAINT PAUL, Minn. --- The Hamline University athletics department hosted their annual Hammies Awards on Sunday, May 3 to highlight the success of the student-athletes and honoring them with awards that recognize accomplishments in the classroom, in the community, and in competition. 

True excellence is often found in the work done behind the scenes—the early mornings in the training room and the meticulous attention to detail that keeps a department running. This year, Hamline Athletics is proud to honor a true cornerstone of our community, Head Athletic Trainer Tara Dooley, with the Beth Rittler Commitment to Excellence Award. For 14 years, Tara has been an indispensable force in the Pipers' success, seamlessly balancing the technical rigors of compliance with the compassionate care of custom rehab plans. Her tireless dedication ensures our student-athletes don't just compete, but thrive. Whether it's a high-stakes game day or the daily grind in between, Tara's unwavering commitment to Hamline's values elevates our entire department.

The Kent Bracewell Award is awarded to the student-athlete from a men's team with the highest GPA, who has been a four-year varsity sport athlete, and has made significant contributions to their sport. This year, Croix Zacharias of Football received this honor for his work in the classroom and on the field. 

The Pat Paterson Award goes to the student-athlete from a women's team with the highest GPA, who has been a varsity sport athlete, and has made significant contributions to their sport. This year, Lizzie Green, a dual sport athlete in Gymnastics and Track & Field received this honor for her work in the classroom and on the field. 

The William Cloon Award honors student-athletes who exemplify the spirit of sportsmanship and dedication, qualities embodied by the late William Cloon. These seniors must have a minimum of a 3.0 GPA, be varsity sport letter winners who contributed to the overall success of their programs, and show service to athletics through committees and activities. This year, Aoi Suzuki of women's lacrosse and Austin Schloeder of track & field took home the William Cloon award. Aoi played women's lacrosse and was a 3-year captain from Chiba, Japan. She has excelled in her studies, making the 2023 MWLC All-Academic team, and the 2024 MLC All-Academic team with a 3.922 GPA. Her leadership roles include: lacrosse team captain, SAAC team representative, and being a part of the 2023 MWLC All-Sportsmanship Team. On the field, she has been an influential player in both the defensive and offensive zones for her team. Austin competed in men's track and field. He has achieved excellence in the classroom, with a 3.939 GPA, and two DIII All-Academic awards. He has led HUSC, serving as the treasurer for the 2025-2026 term. Austin also carries his leadership and work ethic with him to the track. Austin holds two conference champion medals, four all-MIAC awards, all-north region honor, and a NCAA D3 All-American title competing in the pole vault and contributing to the 4x400 relay.

The Rookie of the Year Award goes to two first-year student-athletes that not only adapted to a new environment, but thrived in it and made significant contributions in competition during their program's season. This year, Nina Thorson of women's hockey and Max Gulliford of men's tennis took home the Rookie of the Year awards. Nina played a major role in her team's success this year, serving as the team's leading goal scorer. This year, she was named the MIAC's rookie of the year and nominated for All-American. She was a Hamline athlete of the week, and MIAC athlete of the week on several occasions throughout winter. She has become a leader on the score sheet and has more accomplishments to come. Max made a name for himself and our men's tennis program. He was champion in the Intercollegiate Tennis Association's flight singles. He also earned MIAC All-Conference in doubles this season. His record this season is 12-8 in singles and 12-5 in doubles. As his compete level continues to grow, he will become an even stronger competitor for the team.

The Misty Bahr Award Award is awarded to the top senior athlete from a women's team and is named after track and field six-time All-American and six-time MIAC Champion Misty Bahr. Misty Bahr was a national champion in the shot put, an All-American in three events, and was a two-year starter for the volleyball team. Bahr died on December 27, 2003 at the age of 28 after a battle with Hodgkin's disease, and was inducted into the Hamline Hall of Fame in 2004. This year, Lexi Brainer of track & field took home the Misty Bahr award for her outstanding career as a Piper. She competed in track and field and holds our university's record in the weight throw. She was the MIAC champion in 2025 and qualified for the 2026 indoor NCAA Championship meet in the weight throw, finishing 19th in all of DIII. Lexi is currently ranked 6th in school history for the shot put and hammer throw, and 20th in discus. From the MIAC, she has received All-Conference three times, All-Conference honorable mention 6 times, athlete of the week twice, and broke the all-time MIAC record in the weight throw.

The Steve Lindgren Award, named for Steve Lindgren who was inducted into the Hamline Hall of Fame in 1981. Hwas a two-time all-conference and all-district honoree for the Hamline football team, and he was named All-American Honorable Mention in the NAIA. He also earned All-American status as a shot putter for the track and field team. Following his graduation in 1975, he was a 13th-round draft choice of the St. Louis Cardinals. Lindgren was killed in an automobile accident just two years after his graduation, and this award for the top senior athlete from a men's team was named in his honor shortly thereafter. This year, Brendan Ebel of men's basketball took home the Steve Lindgren Award for his outstanding basketball career. He was the leading scorer, averaging 14.7 points per game. He led the team in steals, second in rebounding and blocks, and third in assists. He is one of the 21 players in Hamline history who have reached the 1,000 point milestone. Brendan is ranked 8th all-time in assists, 8th all-time in blocks, and third all-time in steals. He earned the 2024-2025 MIAC Defensive Player of the Year title and was named the MIAC athlete of the week three times. Brendan was a two-time recipient of the MIAC All-Conference team. In his time here, he has had four consecutive winning seasons, one of three MIAC teams to do so.

The Athlete of the Year Award goes to the athlete, one from a women's team and one from a men's team, who exemplifies what it means to be a Piper on and off the field. This year, Abigail Chamernick of women's hockey and softball and Isaiah Watson of track & field and football took home the Athlete of the Year awards for their outstanding seasons. Abby a dual-sport athlete, competed in both hockey and softball. She served as a leader and large contributor in both her sports. For hockey, she was named All-Conference, MIAC athlete of the week, named an ACHA and D3 publication All-American, and led the team in points-the most points in the MIAC for a defender. Coming into the season late due to hockey, she still shows up as a contributor on the field. She is the softball team's leadoff batter, currently hitting .304 and is four for four in stolen bases with seven games played. Outside athletics, she participates in leadership roles such as being a member and the social media coordinator for SAAC, volunteers at Hamline elementary, and volunteers coaching softball and hockey. Isaiah, also a dual-sport athlete, competed in football and track and field. In track, he was the MIAC indoor triple-jump champion, a 1st team All-American for indoor triple jump, named a MIAC athlete of the week, and currently leads the MIAC, ranked 4th in all of D3 for the triple jump.

The Team of the Year Award was awarded to women's hockey, who remained nationally ranked all season, getting to has high as No. 5 in the country. They finished the season with a 21-6-1 overall record and 14-3-1 conference record. The team was one win shy of the MIAC regular season title this year, holding the first place ranking in the MIAC standings for the second half of the season. They earned an At-Large bid to host the first round of the NCAA DIII Women's Hockey Championships on home ice, where they defeated Endicott 3-0 to move on to the quarterfinals against Norwich.