NAPERVILLE -- The College Conference of Illinois & Wisconsin (CCIW) made its annual announcement of the Merle Chapman Leadership Award recipients for the 2024-25 academic year on Wednesday afternoon.
 
This award is named after the former Millikin Athletics Director and the CCIW's second commissioner, who served in that capacity from 1997-2002.
 
The award identifies the student-athletes that best exemplify the traits that Chapman displayed and encouraged during his three-plus decades of service as teacher, coach and mentor to the athletes, coaches and administrators of the CCIW. Those traits are loyalty, enthusiasm, leadership, sportsmanship, and a commitment to academic, athletic and personal excellence.
 
Each CCIW institution selects one men's and one women's student-athlete from their Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) who participates in a CCIW-sponsored sport.
 
Augustana
Maitreyi Shrikhande, Women’s Tennis
Jack Sergeant, Men’s Lacrosse
 
Carroll
Kenzie Blau, Women’s Soccer
Kevin Whittmon, Football
 
Carthage
Grace Norman, Women’s Swimming & Diving
Bryce Lowe, Football
 
Elmhurst
Emily Mikos, Women’s Track & Field
Alan Lopez-Paredes, Men’s Soccer
 
Illinois Wesleyan
Lauren Huber, Women’s Basketball
Quinn Clifford, Men’s Golf
 
Millikin
Kyleigh Block, Women’s Basketball
Dejon Glaster, Men’s Wrestling
 
North Central
Hailey Poe, Women’s Triathlon
Cooper Lundal, Men’s Volleyball
 
North Park
Jereme Ombogo, Football, Men’s Track & Field
 
Wheaton
Katherine Ashley, Women’s Soccer
Payton McClowry, Baseball