COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. –
Malia Groshong of the Mountain Lion women's soccer program,
Halley Redd of the softball program and
KJ McInnis of the Mountain Lion track and field program have been named the 2024-25 Newcomers of the Year, announced Thursday by the University of Colorado Colorado Springs Department of Athletics.
The Newcomer of the Year Award is presented annually to the top male and female student-athletes who have made a significant impact in their first year competing for their program.
Malia Groshong, Women's Soccer, Biology Major (Freshman, Defender, Hillsboro, Ore., Valley Catholic High School)
2024 Season Highlights and Stats
- RMAC Women's Soccer Freshman of the Year
- RMAC Defensive Player of the Week (Sept. 17)
- Helped UCCS to the RMAC Tournament Semifinal
- Started in 20 matches
- Led the team in Minutes Played with 1,593
- Scored her first collegiate goal vs CSU Pueblo on November 6th
"To earn RMAC Women's Soccer Freshman of the Year in a squad that featured up to 7 starting freshman this past fall was special," shared Head UCCS Women's Soccer Coach
J. B. Belzer. "To be selected as UCCS Co-Female Newcomer of the Year caps an amazing first year of college for Malia. Selected captain by teammates and coaches this coming fall, we expect Malia to lead our side back to RMAC trophies and a South-Central Championship, as we battle to play at home at Weidner Field in December for a 2025 National Championship."
Halley Redd, Softball, Criminal Justice Major (Freshman, Shortstop, Henderson, Nev., Basic High School)
2025 Season Highlights and Stats
- All-RMAC Honorable Mention
- Helped UCCS to the RMAC Semifinal game
- Finished the season with a .416 batting average to lead the team
- Led the team in Hits (69) and Doubles (17)
- Was 3rd on the squad in RBIs (40)
- Led the team in Assists (120)
"Halley has made an immediate impact on our program, and will bring stability for years," commented Head UCCS Softball Coach
Dwight Sanders. "Halley was a big part of our teams success this year. She has grown immensely over the year, and we are hoping to see her embrace a leadership role going forward."
KJ McInnis, Track and Field, Communications Major (Redshirt Sophomore, Denver, Colo. / North High School / CSU Pueblo)
2024-25 Outdoor Season Highlights:
- RMAC Outdoor Championships Men's Athlete of the Meet
- RMAC Individual Champion for both High Jump and Triple Jump
- Finished third in Long Jump
- Scored 26 points for UCCS at the RMAC Outdoor Championships
- 5th in Outdoor program history for Triple Jump (14.81m)
2024-25 Indoor Season Highlights:
- USTFCCCA All-Region in the High Jump
- RMAC Indoor Championships Men's Athlete of the Meet
- First Team All-RMAC in the High Jump and Triple Jump
- Second Team All-RMAC in the Long Jump
- Season best High Jump mark of 2.05m
- Season best Long Jump mark of 7.21m
- Season best Triple Jump mark of 14.90m
"There isn't a more deserving athlete in my opinion than KJ for this award," shared head UCCS Track and Field Coach
Ross Fellows. "He has shown excellence in everything since the day she arrived on campus. KJ is the complete package in terms of personality, character, drive, skill and humility. He scored and outstanding 48 between indoors and outdoors and was named the RMAC athlete of the meet at both championships, shoring more points than any athlete in each meet. KJ has done a phenomenal job leading our men's jump squad on and off the track. I am so proud to have coached KJ this year, and he is a key part of why we won indoor and outdoor championships this year."
2024-25 UCCS CUSPYs Awards Schedule
Tuesday, May 6 - Athletes of the Year: Anna Fauske, Dani Barajas
Wednesday, May 7 - Student-Athletes of the Year:
Fie Steenberg,
Kyle Demos
Thursday, May 8 - Newcomers of the Year:
Malia Groshong,
Halley Redd,
KJ McInnis
Friday, May 9 - Athletic Director Award
