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OLATHE, Kan. - Tuesday's 2026 Peteys highlighted this year's MNU athletic achievements. Coaches and administrators nominate student-athletes for most of the awards, and the MNU population votes for the winners. The evening started with a highlight video and a procession of flags representing the various counties of MNU athletes, and was hosted by Lee Waldron.
The awards started with
Comeback Player of the Year, and Noah Castillo (baseball) and Kinga Banga (cheer) were honored as athletes who overcame injuries.
The Petey for
Top Female Individual Performance, went to Mandy Brown (softball), who was named National Pitcher of the Week for a performance earlier this season..
The Petey for
Top Male Individual Performance went to two athletes: Josh Killingsworth (golf) and Tobias Stirl (soccer). Killingsworth won a golf tournament. And Stirl made several crucial saves in a game at Nationals to propel the team to the Fab Four.
The
Top Team Performance honor went to Women's Basketball for their conference championship, conference tournament title, and Opening Round victory with a top-10 rank.
The Petey for
Champion of Character - which highlights a student-athlete that exhibits integrity, respects all, embraces the opportunity to contribute to their team, school, and community, brings their A-game every day, and leads by example - went to volleyballer Janae Rossetti and offensive lineman Blayne Blevins.
The Petey for
Super Fan went to Mike Gough.
The Petey for
Top Play went to track & field men's 4x400 comeback for a conference title, and Riggs Harper's walkoff steal of home.
Top Female Newcomer went to women's soccer forward Tindra Jarl.
The Petey for
Top Male Newcomer went to baseball's Ronnie Rowley.
A great way to honor a more behind-the-scenes athlete is the Petey for
Unsung Hero - which goes to an athlete who contributes significantly to the team, whether off or on the field. The athlete does so without glory or recognition and makes an impact by the example set and the attitude by which it is done. Volleyball's Madeline Angel and men's soccer's Joao Victor were honored as the Unsung Heroes.
The
Cross Award, which is an award given to one who has an exceptional work ethic in the weight room, went to basketball's Isaiah Cull and track & field's Ella Margheim.
The Peteys are a way to honor Pioneers who aren't directly involved with the Athletics Department.
Faculty Member of the Year and
Staff Member of the Year. This year the award was combined to encompass the entire Nursing Department.
The next section of Petey award went to the Most Valuable Teammates for each sport. Athletes on each team had the opportunity to vote for a teammate that best met these criteria: good work ethic, leads by example, encouraging, dependable, and goes above-and-beyond. The MVTs went as follows:
Baseball: Ronnie Rowley
Men's Basketball: Caden Kaberline
Women's Basketball: Bella Perez
Cheerleading: Makenna Brandt
Men's Cross Country: Ken Morgan
Women's Cross Country: Bella Meili
Men's Track & Field: Alex Dawkins
Women's Track & Field: Lakin Essex
Football: Eli Saintjuste
Men's Soccer: Antonio Mugica
Women's Soccer: Bella Leon
Softball: Molly Nicas
Volleyball: Emily Mathis
Weightlifting: Paige White
Men's Golf: Josh Killingsworth
Women's Golf: Laurel Repka
The
Top Female Athlete went to track & field's multi-time All-American Nikiwe Mongwe and women's basketball's All-American Kameron Green.
The Petey for
Top Male Athlete went to 2-time All-American Track Athlete and 2nd team All-Conference linebacker Lance Jones.
The final awards went for
Ms. Pioneer and
Mr. Pioneer - given to a graduating male and female athlete who models the core covenants, Christian ideals, contributes significantly to the team, and performs well in the classroom.
Ms. Pioneer: Aubrey Rogers (Basketball)
Mr. Pioneer: Noah Castillo (Baseball)
The ceremony concluded by honoring the graduating seniors of the Fall and Winter sports, and handing out diplomas for Spring sports who will miss graduation due to post season competition.
