Malcolm Mann, a sophomore men’s basketball player, and Samantha Rimann, a sophomore volleyball player, were named 2015 male and female Hesston College Student Athletes of the Year at the school’s annual Athletic Banquet April 28.

Mann, Plano, Texas, was one of the sophomore leaders to charge the way to a Region VI title and a berth to the NJCAA Division II National Tournament for the first time in 25 years. This two-year captain for the men’s basketball team now sits on the top ten list of career steals in Hesston College history. To add to all of the team’s success this year, Mann received Honorable Mention all-region.

“I learned the importance of solid relationships within the team and how that can translate to success on the court,” said Mann. “This award shows that who I’m striving to be is worth it.”

Mann is also involved in various ways on campus including activities like First-Year Experience Scholar, campus worship team, and the Hesston College Gospel Choir.

“I believe that Malcolm Mann is a model recipient for the athlete of the year honor,” said coach Dustin Galyon. “Malcolm is an incredible athlete and leader. His athletic accomplishments are historic, but small in measure to his impact and involvement on our campus and student body.”

Rimann, Liberty Hill, Texas, was a defensive phenomenon for the volleyball team, shattering numermous Hesston College records. The sophomore now sits first in three categories for the volleyball team. She holds the single season record for digs (550), single season record for digs per game (5.24) and career record for digs (899). Along with all these records, Rimann received a spot on the all-tournament team at the Vernon Community College (Texas) tournament.

“This year was all about redemption for our team,” said Rimann. “We had a good season with good teammates. It was satisfying and refreshing. Postseason participation was a highlight to this year. It represented a complete turnaround from last season.”

“Sam Rimann is well deserving of Hesston College female athlete of the year,” said coach Jessica Cleveland. “She was a major factor in our success this year. We changed our defense to give her more area of the court defensively and she stepped up to the challenge and excelled at it. She was consistent all year and was the foundation of our team. It was fun watching her grow as a student-athlete at Hesston College.”

Mann and Rimann succeed last year’s winners Makayla Ladwig, Wichita, Kansas, and Nick Yoder, Millersburg, Ohio.

The awards were revealed at the annual Hesston Athletics Banquet. The other major honor of the night was the highest team GPA which the women’s tennis team won with a 3.69.