Exhibiting what it means to be a Viking, Nathanael Tabert and Hannah Mitchell were awarded the Viking Dean's Award for Leadership, Wednesday night at the Jeanne & Peter Lougheed Performing Arts Centre on Augustana Campus during the Student Life Awards.
Awarded annually, The Dean's Award for Leadership in Vikings' Athletics is presented to athletes who are considered outstanding athletes, leaders and role models in the athletic community, around campus and in the community.
A leader on campus and in the community, Tabert in just his third-year of eligibility, but final year of study, he was the Vikings Cross Country team leader, the Vikings Indoor Track team leader, the Augustana Nordic Sports team President, and the Vikings University Athletics Board (UAB) President.
Showing up in races, Tabert claimed multiple medals for the Vikings this season, including a gold medal at the ACAC Indoor Track Championship in the Men's 4x400m relay. Adding to his medal total, he also earned bronze in the Men's 4x200m relay and the Men's 600m bronze.
"Nathanael has an outstanding dedication to training and always gives everything he has to his trainings and races," said Head Coach Gerhard Lotz. "He finds the next level in races and always brings a positive attitude."
Also excelling in the classroom, Tabert earned the Viking Male Athlete Scholar Award for having the highest GPA among Vikings Male Athletes.
Lastly, he was named to the ACAC Cross Country Running All-Conference team.
Wrapping up her Vikings Career, Hannah Mitchell earned her leadership award for various contributions to her team, athletics and the community.
Mitchell served alongside Tabert on the inguinal Vikings UAB, captained her team for the third straight year and was involved in numerous community and youth basketball programs.
"Hannah was selected to be captain by her peers & coaches the last three years in a row. Her give back to athletics and the community had her involved in Special Olympics through the Boys & Girls Club, working with the local junior highs in their 'Sport for life' classes, coaching numerous camps in Camrose as well as the GoodHoops Basketball club in Edmonton," said Head Coach John Dedrick. "Hannah was also the WBB representative on the inaugural UAB over the last 3 years in addition to being part of the winning 'Speak up for Mental Health' initiative put on by the ACAC. She was quite simply was the glue that held our team together during COVID - providing a constant link between myself and her teammates."
In addition to her program involvement, Mitchell was named to the Women's Basketball ACAC Second Team
Fellow nominees included Taylor Olson (Women's Soccer), Nathan Bowie (Men's Basketball) and Jarod Hovde (Men's Hockey).