DENVER – MSU Denver Athletics celebrated another memorable year on Wednesday night, honoring the top student-athletes and teams from the 2025-26 season at the annual Rowdy Awards.

Highlighting the evening was the presentation of the Rowdy Award, the department's highest individual honor recognizing excellence on and off the field. This year's award went to track and field standout Tanis Chavez for embodying what it means to be a Roadrunner through performance, leadership, and impact across campus.

Volleyball once again took center stage, earning Team of the Year honors after a dominant season that included a national championship run. The program also posted the highest team GPA among women's teams with an impressive 3.84, while baseball led all men's programs with a 3.41 GPA.

Several individual performances were recognized for their impact throughout the year. Annika Helf earned Offensive Performance of the Year after her 30-kill outing against Wayne State during the Colorado Premier Challenge, one of the top single-match efforts of the season. On the defensive side, Brian Unachukwu was honored with Defensive Performance of the Year after leading the RMAC in blocks.

Baseball's Noah Wicks was named Newcomer of the Year, making an immediate impact in his first season as a Roadrunner, while volleyball's Megan Hagar earned the Clutch Gene Award for her standout performance on the national stage. Madi Johnson of women's basketball was recognized with the Don't Count Me Out Award, highlighting resilience and determination throughout the season.

The Rowdy Awards once again showcased the depth of talent across MSU Denver Athletics, celebrating not only elite performance but also the academic success, perseverance, and championship culture that define the Roadrunners.