South Dakota State University Athletics
FIVE CHOSEN FOR OUTSTANDING JACKRABBIT AWARD
5/22/2025 12:55:00 PM | Baseball, Football, General, Men's Golf, Men's Track and Field, Softball, Women's Basketball, Women's Golf, Women's Soccer, Women's Swimming and Diving, Women's Track and Field, Wrestling
Five South Dakota State student-athletes – three women and two men – were recognized recently for their many accomplishments with the Outstanding Jackrabbit Senior Athlete Award for the 2024-25 academic year.
The honorees were:
Cade Devos
DeVos spent six years on the campus of South Dakota State University and was highly successful both in the classroom and on the mat.
The Altoona, Iowa, native worked his way on to the Jackrabbits' 100-win club with much of his exploits coming at 174 pounds. DeVos put the stamp on a tremendous 2023-24 season when he claimed the Big 12 Championship title in his weight class. That year also saw him earn his first All-America accolades as he took fifth place at the NCAA Championships. He cemented his legacy this past season as DeVos placed sixth at the NCAA Championships for his second consecutive season finishing as an All-American.
DeVos was named a Scholar All-American on five occasions. He is a two-time graduate of South Dakota State as he earned his doctorate in pharmacy.
Brielle Dixon
Dixon has left her impact on the SDSU women's track and field program.
The Brandon, S.D., native has been a six-time all-conference performer for the Jackrabbits. Her all-league finishes are highlighted by a gold medal in the 2025 Summit League Indoor Championships behind a school-record time of 8.16 seconds in the 60-meter hurdles this February on the SDSU campus. She topped her previous school-record time in the 100-meter hurdles by clocking in at 13.44 seconds en route to claiming a silver medal in the event at the 2025 Summit League Outdoor Championships this past weekend in Vermillion.
Dixon has qualified for the NCAA West Preliminaries twice including the upcoming 2025 edition. Dixon graduated from SDSU with her bachelor's degree in education.
Mark Gronowski
Gronowski took the reins of the quarterback position within the Jackrabbit football program as a freshman and established one of the most decorated careers in FCS history.
Gronowski became a four-time all-Missouri Valley Football Conference selection and was a two-time MVFC offensive Player of the Year. He led the Jackrabbits to three national championship games and won two of them. Gronowski's standout season came in 2023 in which he led SDSU to a second consecutive FCS title while winning the Walter Payton Award.
The Naperville, Ill., product finished his Jackrabbit career with a 49-6 record and tied the FCS record for career wins. He holds three of the top-10 single-season marks in program history for passing yards, passing touchdowns and total offense. Gronowski is second in school history in career passing yards (10,309), passing touchdowns (93) and total offense (12,076 yards), while he's sixth in career rushing touchdowns (37).
The Jackrabbit quarterback earned the Scholar Athlete of the Year award handed out by FCS Athletic Directors. A three-time captain, Gronowski earned his degree in mechanical engineering during his time at SDSU.
Mia Jarecki
Jarecki became one of the best in the Jackrabbit softball program's history during her four years in Yellow and Blue.
Jarecki was a three-time All-Summit League First Team performer. Her 2024 season served as the highlight of her college career as she claimed The Summit League Player of the Year award. That season saw her lead the Jackrabbits in nearly 10 offensive categories and finish with top-10 program single season marks in runs scored, hits, total bases, batting average and on-base percentage. Her accolades led Jarecki to earning NFCA All-Midwest Region 1st Team honors.
The Papillion, Neb., native ended her SDSU career this May as the program's record holder in runs scored with 154. She finished her tenure as a Jackrabbit top five all-time in batting average, walks, on-base percentage, triples and double plays turned. Jarecki also hit 24 home runs which ranks ninth. She obtained her bachelor's degree in exercise science from South Dakota State.
Paige Meyer
Meyer was instrumental to the continuing tradition of the SDSU women's basketball program over the past four seasons.
The Albany, Minn., product started in every game she played her freshman season and eventually started in over 100 contests over the course of her career. Meyer went on to become a four-time All-Summit League selection, was twice chosen as The Summit League Tournament MVP, while she was an All-Newcomer Team and All-Defensive Team honoree during her career.
Meyer sits 16th on the program's all-time scoring chart with 1,417 career points. Her 493 career assists are third most ever by a Jackrabbit (first in DI era) while she holds the school record in 3-point shooting in a career with her 43.3% clip from beyond the line. Meyer set the program's Division I single-game record for points scored with 37 and her 179 assists she dished out as a senior are the most in a single season ever by a Jackrabbit.
A two-year captain, Meyer helped guide SDSU to three NCAA Tournament appearances along with a WNIT championship. She earned a business degree from South Dakota State.
In addition, 18 Jackrabbit senior student-athletes were honored as Impact Award winners in their respective sports. Those honorees included:
Baseball: Jess Bellows
Football: Dalys Beanum, Adam Bock, Hunter Dustman, Amar Johnson, Gus Miller
Men's Golf: Ty Kretz
Women's Golf: Piper Stubbs
Softball: Brooke Dumont
Soccer: Katherine Jones, Hayley Lindaman, Kaycee Manding, Avery Murdzek, Laney Murdzek
Men's Track & Field: Pierre Lear, Hunter Wallster
Women's Track & Field/Cross Country: Claire Beckman
Wrestling: Tanner Jordan
South Dakota State also recognized four Jackrabbit Scholar-Athlete Award recipients. The four honorees compiled perfect 4.0 grade-point averages in their undergraduate coursework. They include Evan Henderson (Men's Track & Field, Exercise Science), Shakira-Ann Keys (Women's Golf, Psychology), Katie Pattee (Women's Swimming & Diving, Mechanical Engineering) and Kallie Theisen (Psychology & Advertising).
The honorees were:
- Cade DeVos, Wrestling
- Brielle Dixon, Women's Track & Field
- Mark Gronowski, Football
- Mia Jarecki, Softball
- Paige Meyer, Women's Basketball
Cade Devos
DeVos spent six years on the campus of South Dakota State University and was highly successful both in the classroom and on the mat.
The Altoona, Iowa, native worked his way on to the Jackrabbits' 100-win club with much of his exploits coming at 174 pounds. DeVos put the stamp on a tremendous 2023-24 season when he claimed the Big 12 Championship title in his weight class. That year also saw him earn his first All-America accolades as he took fifth place at the NCAA Championships. He cemented his legacy this past season as DeVos placed sixth at the NCAA Championships for his second consecutive season finishing as an All-American.
DeVos was named a Scholar All-American on five occasions. He is a two-time graduate of South Dakota State as he earned his doctorate in pharmacy.
Brielle Dixon
Dixon has left her impact on the SDSU women's track and field program.
The Brandon, S.D., native has been a six-time all-conference performer for the Jackrabbits. Her all-league finishes are highlighted by a gold medal in the 2025 Summit League Indoor Championships behind a school-record time of 8.16 seconds in the 60-meter hurdles this February on the SDSU campus. She topped her previous school-record time in the 100-meter hurdles by clocking in at 13.44 seconds en route to claiming a silver medal in the event at the 2025 Summit League Outdoor Championships this past weekend in Vermillion.
Dixon has qualified for the NCAA West Preliminaries twice including the upcoming 2025 edition. Dixon graduated from SDSU with her bachelor's degree in education.
Mark Gronowski
Gronowski took the reins of the quarterback position within the Jackrabbit football program as a freshman and established one of the most decorated careers in FCS history.
Gronowski became a four-time all-Missouri Valley Football Conference selection and was a two-time MVFC offensive Player of the Year. He led the Jackrabbits to three national championship games and won two of them. Gronowski's standout season came in 2023 in which he led SDSU to a second consecutive FCS title while winning the Walter Payton Award.
The Naperville, Ill., product finished his Jackrabbit career with a 49-6 record and tied the FCS record for career wins. He holds three of the top-10 single-season marks in program history for passing yards, passing touchdowns and total offense. Gronowski is second in school history in career passing yards (10,309), passing touchdowns (93) and total offense (12,076 yards), while he's sixth in career rushing touchdowns (37).
The Jackrabbit quarterback earned the Scholar Athlete of the Year award handed out by FCS Athletic Directors. A three-time captain, Gronowski earned his degree in mechanical engineering during his time at SDSU.
Mia Jarecki
Jarecki became one of the best in the Jackrabbit softball program's history during her four years in Yellow and Blue.
Jarecki was a three-time All-Summit League First Team performer. Her 2024 season served as the highlight of her college career as she claimed The Summit League Player of the Year award. That season saw her lead the Jackrabbits in nearly 10 offensive categories and finish with top-10 program single season marks in runs scored, hits, total bases, batting average and on-base percentage. Her accolades led Jarecki to earning NFCA All-Midwest Region 1st Team honors.
The Papillion, Neb., native ended her SDSU career this May as the program's record holder in runs scored with 154. She finished her tenure as a Jackrabbit top five all-time in batting average, walks, on-base percentage, triples and double plays turned. Jarecki also hit 24 home runs which ranks ninth. She obtained her bachelor's degree in exercise science from South Dakota State.
Paige Meyer
Meyer was instrumental to the continuing tradition of the SDSU women's basketball program over the past four seasons.
The Albany, Minn., product started in every game she played her freshman season and eventually started in over 100 contests over the course of her career. Meyer went on to become a four-time All-Summit League selection, was twice chosen as The Summit League Tournament MVP, while she was an All-Newcomer Team and All-Defensive Team honoree during her career.
Meyer sits 16th on the program's all-time scoring chart with 1,417 career points. Her 493 career assists are third most ever by a Jackrabbit (first in DI era) while she holds the school record in 3-point shooting in a career with her 43.3% clip from beyond the line. Meyer set the program's Division I single-game record for points scored with 37 and her 179 assists she dished out as a senior are the most in a single season ever by a Jackrabbit.
A two-year captain, Meyer helped guide SDSU to three NCAA Tournament appearances along with a WNIT championship. She earned a business degree from South Dakota State.
In addition, 18 Jackrabbit senior student-athletes were honored as Impact Award winners in their respective sports. Those honorees included:
Baseball: Jess Bellows
Football: Dalys Beanum, Adam Bock, Hunter Dustman, Amar Johnson, Gus Miller
Men's Golf: Ty Kretz
Women's Golf: Piper Stubbs
Softball: Brooke Dumont
Soccer: Katherine Jones, Hayley Lindaman, Kaycee Manding, Avery Murdzek, Laney Murdzek
Men's Track & Field: Pierre Lear, Hunter Wallster
Women's Track & Field/Cross Country: Claire Beckman
Wrestling: Tanner Jordan
South Dakota State also recognized four Jackrabbit Scholar-Athlete Award recipients. The four honorees compiled perfect 4.0 grade-point averages in their undergraduate coursework. They include Evan Henderson (Men's Track & Field, Exercise Science), Shakira-Ann Keys (Women's Golf, Psychology), Katie Pattee (Women's Swimming & Diving, Mechanical Engineering) and Kallie Theisen (Psychology & Advertising).
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Players Mentioned
CB
/ Football
Distance
/ Women's Track and Field
OF
/ Baseball
174
/ Wrestling
Sprints
/ Women's Track and Field
C
/ Softball
K/P
/ Football
QB
/ Football
Sprints
/ Men's Track and Field
IF
/ Softball
RB
/ Football
MF/D
/ Women's Soccer
125
/ Wrestling
/ Men's Golf
Sprints
/ Men's Track and Field
D
/ Women's Soccer
D
/ Women's Soccer
G
/ Women's Basketball
OL
/ Football
MF
/ Women's Soccer
MF
/ Women's Soccer
FREE, BK
/ Women's Swimming and Diving
/ Women's Golf
F
/ Women's Basketball
Throws
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