UNIVERSITY CENTER -- The Saginaw Valley State University Athletic Department has selected its annual "Ryder Athletes of the Year," with Women's Track & Field student-athlete Lauren Huebner and Men's Track & Field student-athlete Ryan Kelly being chosen as the top female and male athletes, respectively, for the 2018-19 season.
The "Ryder Athlete of the Year" stands as the most prestigious Cardinal athletic award. During his tenure, former SVSU president, Dr. Jack M. Ryder and his wife, Lila, were both passionate fans of Cardinal Athletics. Their support and contributions to the SVSU Athletic Department are recognized on an annual basis with the presentation of the "Ryder Athlete of the Year" award, which is presented to the top male and female Cardinal student-athletes.
Lauren Huebner - Women's Track & Field
Huebner had a breakout junior campaign for the Cardinals, capping-off the 2019 season with a national championship in the heptathlon at the NCAA Divsiion II Outdoor Championships in Kingsville, Texas. Lauren was third in the pentathlon as well at the NCAA Division II Indoor Championships, giving her two All-American honors. Her 5,364 points at the outdoor championships is a new program record and she set the 100 meter hurdle mark at the event with a time of 14.01 seconds as well. Her pentathlon performance at the indoor championships of 3,823 points notched her a new program record and she broke the record for the 60 meter hurdles in that same event with a time of 8.62 seconds. Huenber was named a Google Cloud First Team Academic All-American and was named a 2018-19 winter recipient of the GLIAC Commissioner's Award. Lauren added four podium finishes at the 2019 GLIAC Indoor Championships and won the titles in the 100 meter hurdles and 400 meter hurdles at the GLIAC Outdoor Championships. She was named the High Point Athlete of the Meet and Field Athlete of the Meet for her performance.
SVSU Track and Field head coach Rod Cowan on Lauren Huebner...
"Good things happen to good people. First and foremost, Lauren Huebner is class personified! The way she represents our University and department is the model of integrity and excellence. During the summer of 2018 she must have had some sort of awakening because she returned for the 2019 season a more focused and determined athlete."
Ryan Kelly - Men's Track & Field
Kelly rounded-out his SVSU career with a stellar season for the Cardinals. He finished sixth in the shot put at the NCAA Division II Outdoor Championships in Kingsville, Texas, marking his second career All-American honor with a distance and new program record of 60' 2.0". Ryan broke the program record for the indoor shot put as well, posting a mark of 59' 2.25" at the 2019 SVSU Classic. Kelly won the GLIAC title at the 2019 GLIAC Indoor Championships and was the runner-up at the league's outdoor championships. He competed at the 2019 NCAA Division II Indoor Championships as well, finishing just a single spot outside of earning All-American honors once more.
SVSU Track and Field head coach Rod Cowan on Ryan Kelly...
"Ryan had an amazing year and receiving this recognition is a shining example of hard work paying-off! He's does not accept praise easily...he's just an athlete that's passionate about throwing. I had a good feeling about his potential for big performances after his indoor season. Watching him win the conference title indoors was a hilight that provided him with the confidence to make the podium on the national stage."
Huebner and Kelly will be recognized at halftime during the SVSU Football game versus Ashland on Saturday, November 2. Kickoff for that game is set for 1:00 p.m. at Wickes Stadium.
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