Orange City, IA — The Northwestern College athletic department announced the recipients of its end-of-the-season awards for the 2014-15 school year. These include the Vander Stoep Award, George Dunlop Sportsmanship Award and the Heidi Jeltema Altena Christian Women’s Athlete Award.
Karen Ettleman (Logan, Iowa) and Mitch Peschon (Spirit Lake, Iowa) received the prestigious Vander Stoep Award for women’s and men’s athletics.
The Vander Stoep Award takes into consideration attitude and sportsmanship on and off the playing field and comparative contributions made to the success of the team. To be eligible, an athlete must have attended Northwestern College for four consecutive semesters and must also have participated in one or two sports for at least two years, while earning a minimum of two varsity letters in one or more sports.
A four-year letterwinner in both basketball and track and field, Ettleman is a two-time All-American for the Red Raiders women’s basketball team. She led the Great Plains Athletic Conference (GPAC) in scoring at 22 points per game was also a first team all-conference selection. Ettleman closed her career with 1,772 points, ranking eighth all-time, 588 rebounds, 307 assists (14th), 202 steals (11th) and 54 blocks (10th).
“Karen is a tremendous athlete with a strong work ethic,” said head basketball coach Chris Yaw. “Beyond her athletic ability is her commitment to Christ and her passion to impact others through her faith. The Vander Stoep award offers a prestigious recognition for Karen’s abilities on the court and on the track along with her desire to honor others and God with her abilities through sportsmanship and respect.”
Ettleman is a seven-time All-American in track and field heading into the 2015 NAIA Outdoor track and field championships held later this month. Ettleman finished third in the pentathlon at the NAIA Indoor National Championships in March and placed second in both the long jump and heptathlon at last year’s NAIA Outdoor Championship. She has earned All-American honors three times in the 100m hurdles and twice in the long jump.
“Karen is a very gifted athlete,” commented head track and field coach Scott Bahrke. “This is evident in how well she performs across so many events in track & field. She goes out and competes, because God has blessed her with those gifts. Karen does not do it for the medals or her name in the paper. She is simply glorifying God. She is a great encourager for her teammates. Karen is open about her faith in Jesus and loves to share the news of our Savior.”
Peschon is four-year starter and 2014 NAIA All-American for the Red Raider baseball team. Also a NAIA Preseason All-American this past year, Peschon was one of the top players in the conference, totaling 11 home runs and 65 runs while hitting .360 this season. Named GPAC player of the Year in 2014, Peschon is a two-time first team all-conference selection and finishes his career tied for first in home runs with 28.
“This is a great honor for Mitch,” said head baseball coach Brian Wede. “He played a key role in our success on the field throughout his four year career, helping us win two conference championships and twice qualifying for the NAIA National Championship-Opening Round. Everyone that watched Mitch play will remember some of the no doubt home runs he hit but his teammates will also remember that Mitch was a good teammate and was always willing to put others before himself. It was a complete blessing that Mitch put on a Northwestern uniform for four seasons.”
Ettleman was also named the recipient of the Heidi Jeltema Altena Christian Women’s Athlete Award.
The Christian Women’s Award was established in 1982 by the Carl Ver Steeg family, parents of Mary Ver Steeg. Mary was instrumental in the development of varsity women’s sports programs at Northwestern College. She coached women’s basketball for six years and volleyball for four years. In 2006, the name of the award was changed to the Heidi Jeltema Altena Christian Woman Athlete Award in memory of Heidi, who demonstrated a sincere Christian faith and servant heart as well as being an outstanding athlete at Northwestern College. The winners of this award must demonstrate a lifestyle and conduct that reflects their faith and commitment to Jesus Christ while participating in athletics. They must also demonstrate qualities of leadership on and off the court or field.
In addition to her outstanding athletic accomplishments, Ettleman is a two-time NAIA Scholar Athlete in both basketball and track and field. She was also named a CoSIDA Academic All-American in basketball this past year.
“Karen’s commitment and boldness in her faith give tribute to the Heidi Jeltema Altena award,” said Yaw. “Karen’s humility and Christian service have been evident and impactful on the basketball and track programs at NWC. I am excited for Karen to be recognized for her accomplishments and, most importantly, for whom she is.”
Logan Hovland (Thompson, Iowa) is this year’s recipient of the George Dunlop Sportsmanship Award. The George Dunlop Sportsmanship Award was originated in 1968 by Mike Eischeid in memory of his late grandfather. Eischeid was a punter in the Super Bowl for both the Oakland Raiders and the Minnesota Vikings. To win the honor, one must represent the finest in character and sportsmanship, not only on the athletic field, but off the field, in classroom activities, and in his everyday life and relationship with others. He must do his best at all times, regardless of the job or position he is asked to hold or play.
A four-year letterwinner in both cross country and track and field, Hovland helped lead the Red Raider cross country team to a berth in the NAIA National Championships and a final ranking of 21st. Hovland is a six-time All-American heading into this year’s NAIA Outdoor Championships and was part of a 4×800 relay that won the GPAC Championship last week.
“Logan is such a solid guy, leading by example; always giving 100% to the workout,” stated Bahrke. “He is a great role model for the younger guys on the team. Logan was willing to be a mentor and help them navigate through college life with Christ at the center. He does not say much, but when he speaks everyone listens. Logan will make a great teacher and coach someday if that is what the Lord calls him to do.”
