In the most competitive selection process yet, New Knoxville’s Kenzie Schroer and Marion Local’s Duane Leugers received financial aid Wednesday as the MAC’s female and male Athletes Of The Year.
In what can only be termed as the most competitive selection process imaginable, New Knoxville’s Kenzie Schroer and Marion Local’s Duane Leugers were awarded financial aid packages Wednesday evening as being the Midwest Athletic Conference female and male Student Athletes of The Year, respectively.
For the second consecutive year the Moeller Brew Barn, in Maria Stein, served as host for the awards recognition.
Schroer, with first team all-league honors in volleyball, and and first team all-league and district honors in basketball, averaged 15 points a game last winter for the basketball Rangers, while universally receiving recognition as one of the league’s most competitive players in recent history. In addition, she was recognized as a MAC all-academic athletic in each of her four varsity seasons. She will attend Wheeling Jesuit University this fall to play volleyball and study Sports Business Management.
Leugers is a three-sport athlete at Marion Local, and a member of three Marion Local state championship football teams, guiding the Flyers to their ninth state title this past year as an 11th hour replacement for the presumptive starter at quarterback, Nathan Bruns. In addition, he played basketball and baseball, and will attend Ohio State University in the fall to pursue a degree in Civil Engineering.
“The Press Pros award is unique because it’s a direct reflection of the support given by local sponsors who see the value in profiling the MAC across the area and across the state,” said conference commissioner, Don Kemper. “Once again, two excellent student athletes have been chosen to receive financial reward for their outstanding representation of their community and the MAC conference.”
Schroer and Leugers were selected from a total of 58 conference athletes who applied for the annual award. Selection was determined on the basis of composite accomplishment in the classroom and athletic achievement, and personal essay. Each will receive a scholarship award of $2,000 to pursue their chosen field of study this fall.
“I’m very appreciative of this award and the support of the sponsors who made it possible,” said Schroer.
“Thank you,” said Leugers. “I appreciate the recognition, support, and the coverage given throughout the year by Press Pros.”
The annual MAC endowment awards is made possible by the generous support of these area companies: St. Henry Bank, Forget-Me-Not Florist/The Purple Post, The Carriage Werkes, Keyhole Pizza, VPP Industries, Phelan Insurance, Dorsten Construction, Moeller Trucking, Kremer Roofing, The Mr. Shoppe, The Minster Bank, 29:11 Strategies, McSober’s Bar and Grill, Community Sports Therapy, Westrich Furniture, Homan Equipment, Leugers Insurance, Kaup Pharmacy, Knapke Kitchens and Cabinets, and the Moeller Brew Barn.
Moeller Brew Barn is proud to sponsor coverage of “THE MAC” on Press Pros Magazine.com.
Duane Leugers and Kenzie Schroer, with Press Pros publisher and associate editor Julie Wright, will attend Ohio State University and Wheeling Jesuit College this fall to study civil engineering and sports business management, respectively. (Press Pros Feature Photo)