Simpson Athletics celebrates 2025-26 at All-Sports Banquet
INDIANOLA, Iowa – The Simpson Athletics Department gathered Thursday night for its fifth annual All-Sports Banquet, celebrating the accomplishments of the 2025-26 athletic and academic year.
Headlining the evening were senior Avery Plathe (women's soccer) and junior Brian Rollison (men's gymnastics, not pictured), who received the department's highest individual honors — the Sarah Crosby and John Wesley Awards of Excellence. These prestigious awards, presented by Chaplain Mara Bailey, recognize one male and one female student-athlete who best exemplify Simpson's core values: discovery, access, citizenship, belonging, justice, and integrity.
For the second straight year, the football program earned the Whalen Community Service Award after logging more than 850 volunteer hours across Indianola and surrounding communities, surpassing last year's total by over 200 hours. Their efforts ranged from working with animals at Kiya Koda to packaging meals for Meals from the Heartland, supporting Simpson theatre productions, and assisting at the National Balloon Museum.
Academic achievement was once again recognized, as women's soccer and men's golf earned the department's Academic Excellence Awards for the highest team GPAs. The reigning champions held on in tightly contested races, with both teams finishing ahead by just five-hundredths of a point. Women's soccer claimed the honor among large teams (20+ athletes), while men's golf topped the small team category. Faculty Athletics Representatives Nicci Whalen and Kedron Bardwell presented the awards.
Senior Ava Carder (women's track and field, not pictured) received the Distinguished Service Award for her thunderous impact on the Simpson community. Across her Simpson career, Carder brought energy, enthusiasm, and school spirit to every moment as the Thunder mascot.
Senior Lili Duckmann was recognized as the Student-Athlete Fan of the Year. Whether in the stands cheering on peers, encouraging teammates from the bench, or checking up on friends in the hallway, Duckmann consistently creates an environment where all student-athletes feel celebrated, valued, and respected.
Sam Schmitz, assistant athletics director for athletic performance, was voted the department's Staff Member of the Year in recognition of his unmatched dedication to his work and developing Storm student-athletes. From his first day on campus, Schmitz has been fully invested in helping athletes become the best versions of themselves, and has played a major role in creating a true winning culture.
Sam Campin, a member of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes leadership group and a senior on the baseball team, was honored with the Barb Overton Humanitarian Champion award. Campin is a trusted presence among his teammates and peers, serving as a resource for student-athletes navigating mental health, faith, and personal growth. He consistently works to make Simpson a better place, leading through service, respect, and a commitment to putting others first.
Director of sports performance Sam Schmitz named Morgan DenBeste (women's volleyball), Lili Duckmann (women's basketball) and Cole Staska (football) the Sports Performance Athletes of the Year. All three demonstrated dedication far beyond scheduled lift sessions and embodied the values of holistic athletic development.
Representing the sports medicine staff, athletic trainers Lauren Sharpe and Maxie Saceda-Hurt presented the Comeback Player of the Year award to Alex Catchpole of men's gymnastics. A three-time national qualifier, Catchpole experienced an unexpected incident in the fall that required him to go home for further evaluation and treatment. He returned in March and performed an emotional routine on senior night that captivated everyone in attendance.
Student-athletes, coaches, and Simpson faculty and staff voted on the 2025-26 Play/Performance of the Year from a group of nine finalists. Coming away with the most votes was Jack Shaffer, who was one pitch away from making history in a near no-hitter. Watch his performance, Knocking on History, as well as the other eight finalists by clicking here.
In one of the banquet's most meaningful moments, each head coach presented the Golden Thunder Award to a student-athlete who made a lasting impact on their program. Whether through academic excellence, leadership, resilience, or growth, these recipients represent the best of what it means to wear the red and gold. A full list of recipients is below.
Finally, the department unveiled finalists for several annual ESPY awards, including male and female newcomers of the year as well as male and female athletes of the year. Award winners will be announced in the summer following the completion of spring sports.
Sarah Crosby Award of Excellence
Avery Plathe, women's soccer
John Wesley Award of Excellence
Brian Rollison, men's gymnastics
Whalen Community Service Award
Football
2025 Academic Excellence Award - Small Team Division
Men's Golf
2025 Academic Excellence Award - Large Team Division
Women's Soccer
Distinguished Service Award
Ava Carder, women's track and field
Student-Athlete Fan of the Year
Lili Duckmann, women's basketball
Staff Member of the Year
Sam Schmitz, assistant athletic director for athletic performance
Barb Overton Humanitarian Champion
Sam Campin, baseball
Sports Performance Athletes of the Year
Morgan DenBeste, women's volleyball
Lili Duckmann, women's basketball
Cole Staska, football
Sports Medicine Comeback Player of the Year
Alex Catchpole, men's gymnastics
Sports Communication Play/Performance of the Year
Knocking on History – Jack Shaffer
Golden Thunder Recipients
Baseball - Sam Campin
Men's Basketball - Levi Gurwell
Women's Basketball - Macy Gaskill
Cheer - Jayden Johnson
Men's Cross Country - Gannon McNamee
Women's Cross Country - Kate Huisinga
Dance - Lauren Long
Eports - Spencer Krantz
Football - Mason Brouillet
Men's Golf - Tucker Vandervelde
Women's Golf - Anna Curley
Men's Gymnastics - Alex Catchpole
Women's Gymnastics - Sydney Nalette
Shooting Sports - Audrey Gordon
Men's Soccer - Arya Nowroozi
Women's Soccer - Elle Street
Softball - Savana Walls
Men's Swimming & Diving - Carter Pichler
Women's Swimming & Diving - Alli Robinson
Men's Tennis - Hudson Christie
Women's Tennis - Savana Walls
Men's Track & Field - Ben Gilbert-Binder
Women's Track & Field - Ava Carder
Men's Volleyball - Joseph Wollum
Women's Volleyball - Hannah Jansen
Men's Wrestling - Nicholas Silva
Women's Wrestling - Ashley Cannon
