Clarksville, Ark.- The University of the Ozarks Athletic Department held an Athletic Celebration Ceremony Monday night where numerous student-athletes were recognized, including a trio of athletes who earned Athlete of the Year honors.

The 2020-2021 Athletes of the Year were Riki Haase, Drew Mott and Bryson Johnson. Haase, a senior member of the softball team, posted an impressive offensive season for the Eagles as she led the team in batting (.384), doubles (8), triples (2), runs (13), slugging percentage (.589), hits (28) and total bases (43). The Argyle, Texas, native was a three-time member of the American Southwest Conference (ASC) All-Academic Team. Additionally, she was a member of the NFCA/Easton All-American Scholar-Athlete Team. At Ozarks, she owns the eighth highest batting average in a single season. Johnson, a senior point guard from Katy, Texas, was nearly unstoppable on the court as he averaged 21.0 points (fourth in ASC), 5.6 rebounds, 5.5 assists (second in ASC) and 1.7 steals (thirteenth in ASC) per game en route to leading the men's basketball program to their first ASC title in the NCAA III era. Johnson made the prestigious five-man All-Conference Team as well as All-East Division First Team. Johnson made national news when his buzzer-beater in the ASC Tournament made ESPN's Sports Center Top-10 plays. Johnson went on to earn ASC Tournament MVP and made the D3Hoops.com All-Region Team. He ends his career ranked eighteenth in points (1096) and fifth in assists (344) at Ozarks. Mott, a junior forward on the soccer team, earned nearly every ASC individual award possible following a season in which he led the team to the ASC title. Mott was named ASC Offensive Player of the Year, ASC Midfielder of the Year, All-ASC First Team and ASC Tournament MVP. Mott, a native of Arlington, Texas, ranked among the ASC's top-5 in nearly every offensive category, including leading the league in game-winning goals (3). He was third in goals with five, third in assists with two and fourth in points with 12. He ranked sixth in the ASC in shots with 23. During the season, he earned ASC Player of the Week.
     
The ASC Scholar-Athlete Medal of Honor honors went to Haase and men's soccer goalkeeper Logan Valestin.

Fans can re-watch the ceremony here: https://www.facebook.com/148272170317/videos/951074852327544