Ottumwa, IA – The Indian Hills Athletic Department celebrated its 8th annual awards banquet, dubbed 'The Wally's' on Tuesday night, recognizing teams, individuals, staff members, and community partners for another remarkable year of Warrior Athletics.
Recap a memorable night at the Tom Arnold Net Center with the award winners, photos, and more.
2026 INDIAN HILLS ATHLETICS CHOICE AWARDS PHOTO GALLERY
Academic Achievement Award – 2024-25 Indian Hills Softball (3.80 GPA)
The Academic Achievement Award recognizes the athletic team that achieved the highest team GPA during the previous year.
Heart of Service Award – Justin Gray - Men's Track & Field
The Heart of Service Award recognizes a team or individual that contributes to the college campus and surrounding communities in the Indian Hills Community College region.
President's Award – Vladyslav Semerych - Men's Basketball
The President's Award honors an individual that displays sportsmanship regardless of team challenges and individual hardships that the individual may have faced.
Athletic Appreciation Award (1) – Titus Letzring, GoHillsTV
Athletic Appreciation Award (2) – Chris Myers, Supervisor, Physical Facilities (Centerville)
The Athletic Appreciation Award honors an employee of Indian Hills Community College or local entity that doesn't work within the Athletic Department on a day-to-day basis, but impacts the department by going above and beyond for IHCC and its student-athletes.
Athletic Partnership of the Year (1) – Dr. Brad Scott, Ottumwa Regional
Athletic Partnership of the Year (2) – Kevin Cochran, Darrin Carson - GoHillsTV
The Athletic Partnership of the Year award recognizes an individual, group of individuals, or business that contributes resources to Indian Hills Community College and the Athletic Department.
Athletic Staff Member of the Year – Jenna Stalzer, Indian Hills Assistant Athletic Trainer
The Athletic Staff Member of the Year award honors an Athletic Department staff member that has gone above and beyond to contribute to the Athletic Department and its student-athletes.
Competitive Excellence Award
The Competitive Excellence award recognizes an individual from each athletic team that has contributed to the goals set forth by their team
- Baseball – Charles Margulis
- Men's Basketball – Mason Costello
- Cheer – Chloe Lane
- Women's Cross Country – Tiffani Koonce
- Men's Cross Country – Bailey Taig
- Women's Golf - Poppy Norcott
- Men's Golf – Harry McArdle
- Shotgun Sports – Megan Vos, Isaac Weir
- Women's Soccer – Arnicka Louis
- Men's Soccer – Fabian Arroyo
- Softball – Kate Hickenbottom
- Women's Track & Field – Cindy Rose
- Men's Track & Field – Raynier Galvez
- Volleyball – Piper Nelson
- Women's Wrestling – Paola Rodriguez
- Men's Wrestling – Mohamed Abdelhady
Sport Highlight of the Year - Enzo de Almeida's game-winning goal to win the NJCAA DI Men's Soccer National Championship
One of the most impactful moments in Indian Hills Athletics history, Enzo de Almeida delivered the eventual game-winning goal to lead Indian Hills Men's Soccer to the program's first-ever national championship. de Almeida buried a goal in the 49th minute to secure the national title for the Warriors while earning Tournament MVP honors.
Team of the Year - 2025-26 Men's Soccer
For the first time in program history, the Indian Hills Men's Soccer squad captured the NJCAA DI Men's Soccer National Championship with a thrilling run through the national tournament in Daytona Beach, FL. The Warriors upended No. 3 seed Daytona State College (FL) to become the lowest-seeded team (8th) in tournament history to win the national title. Enzo de Almeida was named Tournament MVP while Vittorio Bellesi and Matteo Malaguti earned All-Tournament honors. Head coach Zac Newton was named Coach of the Tournament.
Student-Athlete of the Year - Gavyn Whitehead, Men's Wrestling
One of the most decorated individuals in Indian Hills and NJCAA Wrestling history, Gavyn Whitehead etched his name in the record books by becoming the program's first-ever two-time NJCAA National Champion. The sophomore secured the 141lb title in Council Bluffs for the second consecutive year to earn The Open Mat National Wrestler of the Year honors. Whitehead was named a NJCAA All-American on the mat and a NWCA Scholar All-American for his work in the classroom.
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