Three NMU Swimmers; One Basketball playe from MTU, LSSU and GVSU
GLIAC – The Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) has announced the recipients of the Winter 2024-25 Commissioner’s Awards.
Included in the standout group are two Division II women’s basketball national champions, the GLIAC men’s basketball player of the year, the GLIAC men’s basketball defensive player of the year, four All-American swimmers, including a 2024 Olympian, a national champion shot putter and a GLIAC champion middle distance runner.
Grand Valley State’s Rylie Bisballe and Myles Kerner were the award’s top vote getters for the winter.
The awards are bestowed after the fall, winter and spring athletic seasons to six female and six male student-athletes of junior, senior or graduate student status that excel both in the classroom and in competition. All grade-point averages are based on a 4.0 scale.
The six female student-athlete recipients are:
• Rylie Bisballe, Grand Valley State
• Camilla Carbone, Northern Michigan
• Nicole Kamin, Grand Valley State
• Alaina Omonode, Grand Valley State
• Mia Strazny, Northern Michigan
• Shea Tripp, Wayne State
The six male student-athlete recipients are:
• Trevor Jones, Wayne State
• Myles Kerner, Grand Valley State
• Leo Nolles, Northern Michigan
• Hunter Soper, Lake Superior State
• Scott Spaanstra, Grand Valley State
• Marcus Tomashek, Michigan Tech
Rylie Bisballe • Grand Valley State • Basketball • Redshirt Senior • Lake City, Mich. • 3.71 GPA • Accounting
For the second straight season, Rylie Bisballe was selected as a GLIAC Commissioner’s Award winner. The fifth-year player has helped lead GVSU to a National Championship and a 38-2 record. She led the team with 13.8 points and 5.8 rebounds, recording five double-doubles on the season. She shot 51.8% from the field and 72.1% from the free throw line. The Lake City, Michigan native was second on the team in steals with 67, and in blocks, totaling 31. This season, she moved into the top- five in program history in points, made field goals, and rebounds. Throughout her career in Allendale, Bisballe has been a two-time WBCA All-American and a two-time D2CCA All-American. Additionally, she was the 2025 D2CCA Midwest Region Player of the Year and a two-time GLIAC Player and Defensive Player of the Year. She has earned four All-GLIAC honors, been on four GLIAC All-Defensive teams, and been named to the D2CCA Midwest All-Region first team for two consecutive seasons. The CSC Academic All-District honoree, posted a 3.71 GPA, obtaining her accounting degree.
Camilla Carbone • Northern Michigan • Swimming & Diving • Graduate Student • Rovellasca, Italy • 4.0 GPA • Master’s of Business Administration
Graduate student Camilla Carbone had a memorable final season in the pool for the ‘Cats that is now capped off with a GLIAC Commissioner’s Award. Carbone had a stellar week at the NCAA DII Championships, earning three All-America honors, including first-team honors in the 100 backstroke and second-team honors as a member of the 200 and 400 medley relay teams. Carbone was a GLIAC champion this year, claiming individual gold in the 100 back along with earning a silver medal in the 400 medley relay. Carbone, who holds a 4.00 and is pursuing her MBA, recently earned CSC Academic All-District honors and is being considered for Academic All-America honors. This Commissioner’s Award honor marks Carbone’s second consecutive season earning the prestigious award.
Nicole Kamin • Grand Valley State • Basketball • Redshirt Junior • Escanaba, Mich. • 3.69 GPA • Educational Studies/Pedagogical Content Knowledge PreK-6th
National Champion Nicole Kamin was voted as a GLIAC Commissioner’s Award winner. Kamin earned All-GLIAC first-team honors for the second straight season, tallying 9.2 points and 4.8 rebounds this season. Her 101 steals placed her first in the conference, and fifth nationally, while her 2.6 steals a game was tied for third in the league. Kamin totaled 91 assists and 19 blocks, earning her a spot on the GLIAC All-Defensive Team. She scored in double-figures in 18 games this season and earned one GLIAC Player of the Week honor. Kamin was named the MVP of the GLIAC Tournament, helping lead the Lakers to their third straight championship, as well as being named a member of the NCAA Elite Eight All-Tournament team. The College Sports Communicators Academic All-District selection totaled a 3.69 cumulative GPA, while pursuing a degree in Elementary Education.
Alaina Omonode • Grand Valley State • Indoor Track & Field • Graduate Student • West Lafayette, Ind. • 3.729 GPA • Exercise Science
Grand Valley State’s Alaina Omonode has been selected as a 2024-25 GLIAC Commissioner’s Award honoree for the first time in her career. Omonode, a native of West Lafeyette, Indiana, was stellar during the 2024-25 indoor track and field season. She placed in the top five at all meets, including a first-place regular season finish at the GVSU Big Meet with an 18.86m (61-10.5) weight throw. Omonode continued to excel in the postseason. At the GLIAC Indoor Championships, she grabbed second-place with a 17.90m (58-8.75) weight throw. In her home state, she recorded a season-best 19.49m (63-11.25) weight throw to place fifth at the NCAA Division II Indoor Track & Field Championships. Her podium finish granted her All-America honors and added four points to the team score to help lead her GVSU Lakers to a third-place title. Her hard work paid off in the classroom, as well. The graduate student holds a cumulative GPA of 3.729 while pursuing a degree in exercise science. Throughout her career, the Phi Kappa Phi honoree has earned a spot on the Dean’s List (3.5+) seven times, has earned United States Track & Field and Cross Country Association (USTFCCCA) honors four consecutive years, was named to the Division II ADA Academic Achievement Award in 2023 and has received GLIAC All-Academic honors six times. In competition, she has earned five All-America and All-Region honors apiece.
Mia Strazny • Northern Michigan • Swimming & Diving • Senior • Manitowoc, Wis. • 4.0 GPA • Biology/Physiology
A senior majoring in Biology and Physiology, Mia Strazny finished her senior season with plenty of accolades. Strazny, who holds a 4.00 and will be attending med school in the fall, is a three-time All-American from this year’s NCAA Championships, earning second-team honors in both the 100 and 200 backstroke as an individual as well as a member of the 200 medley relay team. Strazny also earned four medals at this year’s GLIAC Championships, earning silver in both the 100 back and 200 back, along with a silver in the 200 free relay and bronze in the 400 free relay. Strazny has recently been named a CSC Academic-All District award recipient and is being considered for Academic All-America honors.
Shea Tripp • Wayne State • Basketball • Senior • Jackson, Mich. • 3.962 GPA • Health & Physical Education Teaching
Wayne State University senior women’s basketball player Shea Tripp has been selected to receive the GLIAC Commissioner’s Award. On the court, she set the school record for single-season starts (32), ranked in the top 10 in 12 different stat categories during league play (third in both assists [80] and APG [4.0]; fifth in assist/turnover ratio [1.4]; sixth in field goals made [110], rebounds [148], rebounds per game [7.4] and field goal percentage [.485], seventh in points per game [14.2], eighth in defensive rebounds [111], steals [43] and free throw percentage [.725] and 10th in free throws made [50]). Tripp was selected to the D2CCA All-Midwest Region Second Team, the All-GLIAC First Team, NCAA Midwest Regional All-Tournament Team as well as the GLIAC All-Tournament Team. In the classroom, she has been a Warrior Elite (term GPA 3.5+) all seven semesters, including six 4.0 terms as a Health and Physical Education Teaching major. In addition, Tripp has received CSC Academic All-District recognition all three years eligible along with being a three-time GLIAC All-Academic Excellence Team honoree. In the community, she was one of three females from all NCAA Divisions and sports to be named a national finalist for the John Wooden Citizenship Cup. She was recently recognized as one of 10 female student-athletes from winter sports to be selected to the Allstate NACDA Good Works Team. In her collegiate career, Tripp appeared in 111 games, making 91 starts and scoring 1,328 points, which ranks fourth in program history. She also recorded 237 steals, which is the most by a WSU player since 1986. Tripp also ranks in the all-time top 10 at WSU in games played, games started, free throws made, rebounds, assists, assists per game, and minutes played. She scored in double figures 67 times, and notched 18 career double-doubles.
Trevor Jones • Wayne State • Swimming & Diving • Graduate Student • Farmington, Mich. • 3.945 GPA • Master’s of Business Administration
Wayne State University graduate student Trevor Jones has earned his second consecutive GLIAC Commissioner’s Award for academic and athletic excellence. Jones, who earned a bachelor’s degree in two-and-a-half years in Finance (3.975 cumulative GPA) will complete his requirements for an MBA (3.945 GPA) next month. The fourth-year Warrior earned First Team All-America honors at this year’s NCAA Championships by helping the 800 Free Relay to a seventh-place finish as well as two Second Team All-America certificates in the 200 Medley Relay and 400 Free Relay. At the GLIAC Championships in February, Jones competed in the championship finals of all five events (third in both 1650 Free and 800 Free Relay, fourth in the 400 IM, fifth in the 1000 Free, and seventh in the 200 Fly) earning a “B” cut time in each of his top five finishes. He concluded his collegiate career as an 11-time All-American and a seven-time All-GLIAC (top three in an event) performer. Academically, the Farmington, Mich. native, has received Athletic Director’s Honor Roll (term GPA 3.5+) accolades all seven semesters (five of which were 4.00 terms). He garnered First Team CSCAA Scholar All-America honors in 2022, 2023 and 2024, and was a First Team Academic All-American by CSC in 2024 after being selected a Second Team Academic All-American in 2023. Jones will receive his third consecutive GLIAC All-Academic Excellence Team recognition this spring.
Myles Kerner • Grand Valley State • Indoor Track & Field • Redshirt Senior • Grand Rapids, Mich. • 3.727 GPA • Master of Science in Communications
Myles Kerner of Grand Valley State has been named 2024-25 winter GLIAC Commissioner’s Award honoree for the fourth time in his career. Kerner had a hot start to his final season in GVSU gear, breaking the Kelly Family Sports Center (Grand Valley State) shot-put record with a 19.69m (64-7.25) throw. Just a few weeks later, he competed at the USA Track & Field (USATF) Indoor Championships and placed eighth in men’s shot put. Kerner’s dominance continued into the postseason. After he was named GLIAC champion in shot put and grabbed bronze in weight throw, he earned more accolades at the national level. At the NCAA Division II Indoor Track & Field Championships, Kerner was named National Champion in shot put for the second consecutive year, recording a 19.22m (63-0.75) mark. He also competed in weight throw, placing fourth with an impressive 20.29m (66-6.75) throw. When out of the circle, the Grand Rapids native excelled in the classroom. He earned a 4.000 GPA for the 2024 fall semester, contributing to his 3.727 cumulative GPA, as he obtains an M.S. in Communications. The thrower has left a massive mark on Grand Valley State academically and athletically. Kerner obtained his bachelor’s degree with honors (Cum Laude), has appeared on the Dean’s List (3.5+) every semester he has been enrolled, earned a spot on the President’s List (4.0) this past semester and was named 2024 GLIAC Men’s Scholar-Athlete of the Year in addition to being an Academic All-America honoree (2023, 2024). In 2024, Kerner competed at the United States Olympic Team Trials, placing seventh in shot put with a throw of 19.11m (62-8.25). A six-time GLIAC and three-time National Champion, Kerner has earned 10 All-America honors over the course of his career.
Leo Nolles • Northern Michigan • Swimming & Diving • Junior • Maldonado, Uruguay. • 3.69 GPA • Athletic Coaching
A junior majoring in Athletic Coaching, 2024 Olympian Leo Nolles had a historic season in the pool for the ‘Cats. Nolles is a six-time All-American from this season’s NCAA Championships, including two individual bronze medals in the 50 and 100 freestyle, and a silver medal in the 200 freestyle relay team that finished 0.03 seconds behind first place. Nolles also had a stellar GLIAC Championships, being named GLIAC Male Swimmer of the Year thanks to five gold medals, two silver medals, and a bronze medal, including posting the fastest time in the country and breaking a GLIAC record with his 100 freestyle finish. Nolles has recently been named a CSC Academic-All District award recipient for the second-straight season, and is being considered for Academic All-America honors.
Hunter Soper • Lake Superior State • Basketball • Senior • Lexington, Mich. • 3.89 GPA • Social Science – Secondary Teaching
Hunter Soper has excelled on and off the court for LSSU throughout his career, but his on court talents were truly showcased over the past two seasons. This year alone, he started in all 37 games for the Lakers, totalling career best numbers of 408 points, 261 rebounds, 82 assists, 60 steals, and 38 blocks. He led the GLIAC in steals and his average of 7.1 rebounds per game was also the league’s top mark. He especially excelled on the defensive end of the floor, being selected as the league’s Defensive Player of the Week six times before ultimately being named as the GLIAC Defensive Player of the Year as well as to the All-GLIAC First Team after leading the league’s top defensive unit. He was a pivotal piece to the Lakers’ lineup, helping his team to their deepest postseason run in program history with a Midwest Regional Championship, an NCAA DII Elite Eight appearance, and a program record 30 wins. In addition to his on-court success, Soper also excelled in the classroom and his community as well, being named to the College Sports Communicators Academic First Team All-American, the GLIAC Academic Excellence Team twice while being qualified to be recognized a third time at the end of the academic year, and being chosen by the LSSU head coaches as the 2025 recipient of the Bud Cooper Coaches Trophy which is awarded annually to an athlete in the LSSU athletic department that has displayed outstanding qualities of citizenship, leadership, active campus participation, and has contributed significantly to the athletic program.
Scott Spaanstra • Grand Valley State • Indoor Track & Field • Graduate Student • Brighton, Mich. • 3.733 GPA • Master’s in Higher Education
Following his selection as the 2025 GLIAC Men’s Indoor Track Athlete of the Year, Scott Spaanstra has been named a Commissioner’s Award honoree for the 2024-25 winter season. The mid-distance runner had an impressive indoor season; according to him it was “the best season of [his] life.” He started the season with a personal-best in the 800m (1:49.57) and continued to dominate in the post-season. Spaanstra was not only crowned GLIAC Champion in the 800m, but helped lead the Lakers to a first-place finish in the distance medley relay (DMR), as well. At the NCAA Division II Indoor Track & Field Championships, he not only finished sixth in the 800m (1:50.33) but helped lead his team to a seventh-place finish in the DMR, as well. His accomplishments during the 2024-25 indoor season continued in the classroom, as he earned a 3.850 for the fall 2024 semester with a cumulative 3.733 GPA while working toward an M.Ed. in Higher Education. Throughout the Brighton native’s academic career, he has been named to Grand Valley State’s Dean’s List (3.5+) nine times, received GLIAC All-Academic honors nine times and has been recognized as a CSC Academic All-American once (2022-23). On the track, Spaanstra has accumulated six All-America medals and 11 All-Region honors.
Marcus Tomashek • Michigan Tech • Basketball • Junior • Green Bay, Wis. • 3.7 GPA • Forestry
Michigan Tech men’s basketball junior guard Marcus Tomashek has been named a recipient of the 2024-25 GLIAC Commissioner’s Award, the GLIAC announced on Tuesday. The awards are presented after the fall, winter, and spring athletic seasons to six female and six male student-athletes who excel both in the classroom and in competition. Tomashek is the first GLIAC Commissioner’s award recipient since Owen White in 2021-22. The standout guard finished the 2024-25 campaign ranked top-10 nationally in field goal attempts (539), free throw attempts (255), free throws (188) and points (720)—while his 23.2 points per game ranked 11th in the country. He earned accolades of NABC All-America, D2CCA First Team All-America, NABC All-District, D2CCA All-Region First Team, GLIAC Player of the Year, First Team All-GLIAC, and a Bevo Francis Top-25 Watch List. He was a focal point for the Huskies, who won the GLIAC regular season outright championship and an NCAA Tournament Berth as the Black & Gold finished the season 24-8 overall. The pride of Green Bay, Wisconsin, scored 30 or more points in nine games with two 40-point games, including a career-high 45-point outing. He led the GLIAC with five GLIAC Offensive Player of the Week honors, including a one-time NABC Player of the Week distinction. Academically, Tomashek was named to the CSC Academic All-America First Team and the CSC Academic All-District team, holding a 3.70 cumulative GPA pursuing a degree in forestry.
