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The nominations process included all 24 varsity teams submitting nominations in each category. The Golden Herky Planning Committee coordinated a voting presentation, highlighting each nominee with a 240-charater description. Voting was conducted during the ISAAC General Meeting, with each representative selecting three nominees for each award.
Nominees were informed of their nomination by a personalized invitation to the event. The Golden Herkys are an exclusive event open to all student-athletes, staff and coaches, and various special guests.
Listed below are the nominees for Hawkeye of the Year, an award recognizing athletics, academics, and service, as well as Staff-lete, recognizing a staff member who has greatly impacted student-athletes:
Ben Colin, M. Swimming & Diving
Jake Brodarzon, M. Gymnastics
Jason Kerst, M. Tennis
Nicholas Baer, M. Basketball
Spencer Lee, Wrestling
Female Hawkeye of the Year
Adorabol Huckleby, W. Tennis
Devin Jacobs, W. Swimming & Diving
Hannah Stewart, W. Basketball
Molly Kelly, Volleyball
Ryley Miller, Field Hockey
Staff-lete
Brooke McKinnon, Rowing Athletic Trainer
Coach Ashley Renteria, Strength & Conditioning
Reese Morgan, Assistant Football Coach
Doug Coonrad, Student-Athlete Academic Services
Brandee Britt, Assistant Director of Athletic Communications
To follow are the nominees for the Golden Herky Awards:
- Austin DeSanto, Wrestling
- Joe Wieskamp, M. Basketball
- Hunter Koenigsfeld, Rowing
- Karayme Bartley, M. Track & Field
- Evan Davis, M. Gymnastics
Outstanding Post-Season Performance
- Megan Gustafson, W. Basketball
- Spencer Lee, Wrestling
- Laulauga Tausaga, W. Track & Field
- Jahisha Thomas, W. Track & Field
- Jake Brodarzon, M. Gymnastics
Male Breakthrough Athlete
- Luka Garza, M. Basketball
- Jonas Larsen, M. Tennis
- Will Brenner, M. Swimming & Diving
- Grant Leonard, Baseball
- Andrew Herrador, M. Gymnastics
Female Breakthrough Athlete
- Tania Davis, W. Basketball
- Tria Simmons, W. Track & Field
- Clair Kaji, W. Gymnastics
- Cali Hoye, Volleyball
- Jayah Matthews, W. Swimming & Diving
Best Upset
- Defeating #5 Michigan, M. Basketball
- Defeating #3 Michigan, M. Gymnastics
- Defeating #8 Maryland, W. Basketball
- Alex Marinelli vs. #1 Joseph, Wrestling
- 1V8+ Upsets #4 Princeton & #6 Yale, Rowing
Best Play
- Alex Marinelli vs. #1 Vincenzo Joseph, Wrestling
- Tania Davis Game-Winner against Iowa State, W. Basketball
- Joe Wieskamp Game-Winner against Rutgers, M. Basketball
- Long Rally Against Wisconsin, Volleyball
- 4x400M Relay, Men’s Track & Field
Male Most Outstanding Team
- Wrestling
- Gymnastics
- Basketball
- Tennis
- Football
Female Most Outstanding Team
- Basketball
- Field Hockey
- Track & Field
- Rowing
- Gymnastics
Record-Breaking Performance
- Laulauga Tausaga, W. Track & Field
- Megan Gustafson, W. Basketball
- Spencer Lee, Wrestling
- Coach Kirk Ferentz, Football
- Taylor Louis, Volleyball
Best Reaction to a Play
- Jake Brodarzon, M. Gymnastics
- Upsetting Michigan, M. Basketball
- Celebration After Defeating Drake, M. Tennis
- Game-Winning Goal vs. #6 Penn State, Field Hockey
- Celebration After 400 Free Relay at B1G, M. Swimming & Diving
The Golden Herky Awards are an annual production by student-athletes, for student-athletes. The show recognizes the numerous achievements of Hawkeye student-athletes during the course of the year, along with the talent of those involved in the production. The Golden Herky Planning Committee, led by five student-athletes, is responsible for creating the awards process, developing a marketing campaign, crafting in-show entertainment, assembling a Golden Carpet experience, and producing the shows script. The show was held in the Englert Theater in downtown Iowa City for three years before moving to the Hancher Auditorium on the University of Iowa campus.
