The 2025 SLIAC Athletes of the Year are Talahiva Talanoa and Ethan Tuttle, as selected by conference Sports Information Directors. 

Talahiva Talanoa continues the run of award winners for Greenville University, becoming the third consecutive track and field athlete to win the SLIAC Women's Athlete of the Year award. The senior thrower wrapped up her record setting career by winning both the Indoor and Outdoor Field Athlete of the Year awards and qualifying for nationals in both sports. Talanoa earned All-America status in both indoor shot put and weight throw; where she set conference records. She followed up with outdoor conference record performances in the shot put, hammer, and discus; picking up All-Region honors in both shot put and discus. Talanoa concludes her career with 12 gold medals and 18 total medals combined and was part of 8 conference championship teams. 

Ethan Tuttle becomes the first baseball player and first athlete from Spalding University to win the conference's top athletic award. The senior infielder capped off his career by receiving the SLIAC Baseball Player of the Year award after hitting .494 with 75 runs scored and 49 runs batted in while stealing 28 bases. He set the conference single season record with 88 hits this season; which included 19 doubles, 5 triples, and 3 home runs. Tuttle was a First Team All-America selection this year by both D3baseball.com and ABCA/Rawlings. He finishes his Golden Eagle career ranking 3rd in the SLIAC in batting average, 2nd in hits, 2nd in runs 6th in RBI, 3rd in doubles, 1st in triples, 7th in on-base percentage, and 4th in stolen bases.

The SLIAC Men's and Women's Athlete of the Year award was first presented in 2023 to recognize the top outstanding performances in the conference during the school year. For previous winners CLICK HERE

Men's Nominees

• Landon Clark, MUW (Baseball) All-American as utility player; Owl career leader in strikeouts, innings pitched, and wins
• Gianni Estrada, Greenville University (Cross Country/Track and Field) Won his 5th career SLIAC Runner of the Year award in cross country; Qualified for nationals; Totaled four gold medals in track and field
• Ryan Greifelt, Webster University (Baseball) All-American pitcher; Region 8 Pitcher of the Year; SLIAC Pitcher of the Year
• Nana Koranteng, Principia College (Track and Field) Second Team All-American for indoor triple jump; Set school and conference record 
• John Paul Morgan, Lyon College (Basketball/Track and Field) SLIAC Indoor and Outdoor Field Athlete of the Year; Captured 5 gold medals and 6 total medals on the year
• Bailey Webster, Eureka College (Cross Country/Track and Field) All-Conference honors in cross country, indoor, and outdoor track and field; Broke 5 school records
• Austen Wetzel, Westminster College (Wrestling) Just the 3rd Blue Jay to ever qualify for nationals; 184 pound conference champion

Women's Nominees

• MK Duffield, Lyon College (Softball) First Team All-Conference; Batted .397 with 5 home runs and 36 RBI
• Kenadee Frey, Blackburn College (Basketball/Softball/Volleyball) SLIAC Softball Player of the Year; Led league in home runs and was 2nd in batting average; Basketball team's leading scorer and assists; Starting setter in volleyball, ranking 4th in the conference in assists
• Conley Langford, MUW (Basketball) All-Conference performer; Second on team in scoring and 3rd in rebounding; Program all-time leader in scoring, rebounds, field goals made, and three-point field goals
• Eryn Rataiczak, Spalding University (Cross Country/Track and Field) First female Golden Eagle to qualify for nationals in indoor track and field; Set program and conference record for indoor pole vault; All-Region honors in indoor track and field; First Team All-Conference in cross country
• Annette Ramirez, Westminster College (Basketball) Won 3rd consecutive SLIAC Player of the Year; Led Blue Jays to a regular season championship; Set the conference record for points; Named D3 hoops.com All-Region
• Sana Udoekong, Principia College (Track and Field) Became first athlete to sweep all four individual track awards in one year; Totaled four gold medals and seven overall medals in her freshman year; Set 5 school records and 2 conference records