MACOMB, Ill. – Western Illinois University is set to host its annual student-athlete awards celebration event, the WESPYs, on May 2, 2024. The event, which is presented by MTC Communications, will feature dinner and an awards ceremony, including highlights of Leatherneck Athletics during the 2023-2024 seasons. 

"This is my favorite time of year as we gather all student-athletes together to celebrate being Leathernecks," said Paul A. Bubb, Director of Athletics. "I enjoy it so much because we aren't celebrating just teams, but the individuals who are Leathernecks and the efforts they each put forth every day representing Western Illinois University."

This year's WESPYs will name 21 award winners in various academic, athletic, and community-based categories. Additionally, student-athletes who have earned 4.0 grade point averages will be honored. The window of eligibility for this year's awards ran from March 15, 2023, to March 14, 2024. Awards and finalists can be seen below. 

The 2024 WESPYs promises to be a great event, and this year, Athletic Director Paul A. Bubb is extending an invitation to parents of current student-athletes, Leatherneck Club members, and supporters of WIU Athletics. Individual tickets are $45, and tables can be purchased for $360. An option to sponsor the event (table not included) is also available for $250. Seating is limited to the first 100 responses, and tickets can be purchased here.

2024 WESPYs Award Finalists

Best Female Individual Performance

Aliyah Adams, Women's Track & Field

Raegan McCowan, Women's Basketball 

Best Male Individual Performance

Drew Cisse, Men's Basketball

Luke Lofgren, Men's Golf 

Best Female Team Performance

Women's Basketball 

Women's Indoor Track & Field 

Volleyball

Best Male Team Performance

Men's Basketball

Men's Golf

Female Athlete of the Year

Aliyah Adams, Women's Track & Field

Keyana Cruse, Volleyball

Raegan McCowan, Women's Basketball 

Male Athlete of the Year

Drew Cisse, Men's Basketball 

Logan Lommel, Men's Track & Field/Cross Country

Kyle Owen, Men's Soccer

Female Newcomer of the Year

Keyana Cruse, Volleyball

Raegan McCowan, Women's Basketball

Alanna Pennington, Women's Soccer

Male Newcomer of the Year

Kyree Alexander, Baseball

Ryan Myers, Men's Basketball 

Mateo Rascon, Men's Golf 

Female Most Improved

Gabriela Galindo Rubio, Women's Golf

Emily Price, Softball

Julianna Schmidt, Volleyball

Male Most Improved

Gabe Chapa, Men's Soccer

Drew Cisse, Men's Basketball

Bradyn Smith, Football

Unsung Hero

Ludovick Choquette, Football

Kayla DePoorter, Softball

Chase Golden, Baseball

JJ Kalakon, Men's Basketball

Lily Randgaard, Women's Basketball

Isabel Navas Rodriguez, Women's Soccer

Team of the Year

Men's Basketball

Women's Track & Field

Volleyball 

Female Leatherneck of the Year

Rachel Balinao, Women's Soccer

Maggie Craker, Volleyball

Anna Deets, Women's Basketball

Male Leatherneck of the Year

Quinlan Bennett, Men's Basketball

Logan Lommel, Men's Track & Field/Cross Country

Jack Whyte, Football

Individual Community Service Award

Aubrey Brumbaugh, Women's Tennis

Kayla DePoorter, Softball

Nadia Kessling, Women's Track & Field

Steven Walsh, Baseball

Team Community Service Award

Baseball

Football

Softball 

Leatherneck Female Scholar Athlete Award

Hannah Butler, Women's Golf

Carla Flores Garcia, Women's Basketball

Jasmine Stokes, Women's Track & Field

Leatherneck Male Scholar Athlete Award

J.R. Heavilin, Baseball

Logan Lommel, Men's Track & Field/Cross Country

Christiaan Masucci, Football

Leatherneck Cheerleaders of the Year

Madison Brady

Alix Potter

Leatherneck Strength Athlete of the Year

Elise Bush, Women's Soccer

Arnie Grunert, Men's Track & Field