University of Colorado Colorado Springs cross country/track and field redshirt sophomore
Kate Hedlund and men's soccer senior forward
Kolby Raineri have been selected as the 2022-23 UCCS Female and Male Athletes of the Year for their outstanding contributions to their respective sport and program.
Kate Hedlund, Cross Country/Track & Field (Redshirt-Sophomore, Manchester, Conn. / Manchester HS)
"Kate is a great example of what our program, and UCCS Athletics in general, is all about: an exceptional student, a leader in athletics and in our campus community, and a national-class athlete," said UCCS women's cross country/assistant track and field coach
Corey Kubatzky. "She has had a phenomenal year in all three seasons, showing great range, versatility, and competitive grit in all kinds of championship settings. Well deserved. Congrats Kate!"
2022-23 Season Highlights
- USTFCCCA All-America First Team in DMR (Indoor)
- USTFCCCA All-America First Team (Cross Country)
- USTFCCCA All-America Second Team in the mile (Indoor)
- USTFCCCA All-South Central Region in the DMR, 800m, and the mile (Indoor)
- USTFCCCA All-South Central Region (Cross Country)
- All-RMAC First Team in the Mile (Indoor)
- All-RMAC Second Team in the 1500m run (Outdoor)
- All-RMAC Second Team in the 800m run and distance medley relay (Indoor)
- RMAC All-Academic Honor Roll (Indoor, Cross Country)
- PR of 2:09.45 in the 800m at the 8th Annual Indoor Gorilla Classic on February 11
- Ran a 6k PR time of 21:08.2 at the NCAA DII Cross Country Championships (Cross Country)
Career Highlights
- 7x NCAA National Qualifier
- 4x USTFCCCA All-America First Team
- 2x USTFCCCA All-America Second Team
- 2x USTFCCCA All-Academic
- 5x USTFCCCA All-Region
- 1x All-RMAC First Team
- 4x All-RMAC Second Team
- 5x RMAC All-Academic Honor Roll
Kolby Raineri, Men's Soccer (Senior, Forward, Ankeny, Iowa / Ankeny HS)
"Kolby has been an exceptional student-athlete throughout his time at UCCS, and 2022 was a particularly successful year for him," said UCCS men's soccer head coach
Lewis Wilcox. "He is such a threat with the ball at his feet and is unstoppable once he gets going. He is someone who we can count on to always give 100% when he steps on the field to represent the Mountain Lions and it's a privilege to work with him every day. No one is more deserving than Kolby for this award, congratulations!"
2022 Season Highlights and Statistics
- CSC Academic All-America Third Team
- CSC Academic All-District First Team
- United Soccer Coaches All-South Central Region First Team
- D2CCA All-South Central Region First Team
- All-RMAC First Team
- RMAC All-Academic First Team
- RMAC Offensive Player of the Week (Sept. 20th and Oct. 4th)
- Recorded a career high in points (7) and shots (9) vs. Adams State on Sept. 15
- Tied a career high in goals scored (3) vs. Adams State on Sept. 15
Career Highlights and Statistics
- 1x CSC Academic All-America Third Team
- 1x CSC Academic All-District First Team
- 1x United Soccer Coaches All-South Central Region First Team
- 1x D2CCA All-South Central Region First Team
- 1x D2CCA All-South Central Region Second Team
- 1x All-RMAC First Team
- 1x RMAC All-Academic First Team
- 2x RMAC All-Academic Honor Roll
- 1x All-RMAC Honorable Mention selection
- 3x RMAC Offensive Player of the Week
2022-23 UCCS Award Winners
April 19 – Thomas F. McLaughlin Award (Audrey Bloomquist, Women's Track & Field and Dakota Abbott, Men's Track & Field)
May 1 – Athletes of the Year (
Kate Hedlund, Women's Cross Country/Track & Field and
Kolby Raineri, Men's Soccer)
May 2 – Student-Athletes of the Year
May 3 – Newcomers of the Year
May 4 – Director of Athletics Award
