LIVONIA, Mich. (LourdesAthletics.com) -- Following a championship-winning season, the Lourdes University competitive cheer team was well represented in the Wolverine-Hoosier Athletic Conference (WHAC) postseason awards, with three athletes earning First Team All-Conference honors, one being named Second Team All-Conference, and nine receiving WHAC All-Academic Team recognition.
Freshman Ashley Smith, along with juniors Joel Brothers, and Lexi Olinger were named to the WHAC First Team All-Conference after strong performances throughout the season, helping lead the Gray Wolves to their third-ever WHAC Championship and first since 2018. Makayla Dickinson was also recognized with Second Team All-Conference honors for her contributions to Lourdes' victory.Â
In addition to the All-Conference awards, the WHAC also announced its All-Academic and Champions of Character teams. The All-Academic Team consists of sophomores or above with a cumulative 3.25 GPA who have been at their school for one full year. The Champions of Character Team comprises one player from each school who best represents the five core character values of integrity, respect, responsibility, sportsmanship, and servant leadership.
The Gray Wolves' honorees included Molly Altman, James Brothers, Makayla Dickinson, Madison Hutka, Emily Kessinger, Ciara Lieberman, Addisen Osswald, Layla Kennedy and Payton Williams.
Molly Altman was also named Lourdes' representative on the WHAC Champions of Character Team, an award given to student-athletes who exemplify the NAIA's core values of integrity, respect, responsibility, sportsmanship, and servant leadership.
These honors cap off a historic season for Lourdes, as the Gray Wolves not only claimed the WHAC Tournament Championship but also secured an automatic bid to the NAIA National Championship, set to take place March 28-29 in Ypsilanti, Mich.
