WKU Athletics hosted the eighth-annual TOPSY Award show on Wednesday evening.

The event features 27 awards among WKU Athletics relating to academics, community service and/or athletic performance.

Most awards are nominated and voted upon by student-athletes, coaches and staff while some are selected specifically by administration or the TOPSYs committee.

Four major awards highlighted the end of the evening. The John O. Oldham Student-Athlete of the Year Award is given to the male and female with the statistically best on-field/court performance of the 2024-25 school year. Baseball’s Ryan Wideman and Volleyball’s Kaylee Cox were honored with the prestigious award for their accomplishments on the field and court.

Baseball was awarded Best Overall Team Performance for its 2025 season. The Hilltoppers are 35-10 on the season and got off to the program’s best start all-time, starting the season 20-1.

Cal Higgins of WKU Baseball was awarded the Phillip Hatchett Hilltopper Spirit Award. The award is given to a student-athlete that represents the Hilltopper spirit in every way possible. They have a positive impact in their community while also pulling the best out of their teammates and self. Past recipients of the award include Billy Tom Sargent (2019, Men’s Golf), Emma Kowalkowski (2020, Volleyball), Taylor Davis (2021, Softball), Audrey Griffin (2022, Track & Field), Luke Frampton (2023, Men’s Basketball) and Tyler “Fluff” Olden (2024, Men’s Basketball).

There were two new awards added to the 2025 edition of the TOPSY Awards. The Big Red Legacy Award is given to a four-year student-athlete who exemplified excellence, commitment, and pride throughout a distinguished career at WKU. Women’s golf Catie Craig was named the first winner of the new award. Also new this year was the Brent Chumbley Hilltopper GRIT Award which is given to a Cross Country or Track and Field athlete who shows grit, resilience, integrity and tenacity. The 2025 winner was Kaison Barton.

Men’s Basketball’s Tyler “Fluff” Olden was given the Mr. Hilltopper award and Tennis’ Sophia Blanco was named Ms. Hilltopper.

Women’s Golf earned the Team Community Outreach Award for their dedicated service to the community. It was the second consecutive year Women’s Golf has claimed the award. Golfer Averi Cline was the Female Community Outreach Award winner for the third year in a row while Tyler “Fluff” Olden of Men’s Basketball took home the Male Community Outreach Award.

Baseball’s Marc Rardin earned Head Coach of the Year.

2024-25 TOPSY Awards

Men’s Scholar Team of the Year – Men’s Golf

Women’s Scholar Team of the Year – Women’s Golf

Male Scholar Athlete of the Year – Stephen Warren, Men’s Golf

Female Scholar Athlete of the Year – Sofia Blanco, Women’s Tennis

Male Graduate Scholar Athlete of the Year – Michael Mathison, Football

Female Graduate Scholar Athlete of the Year – Emma Tompkins, Soccer

Team Community Outreach Award – Women’s Golf

Male Community Outreach Award – Tyler “Fluff” Olden, Men’s Basketball

Female Community Outreach Award – Averi Cline, Women’s Golf

Best Male Record-Breaking Performance – Baseball

Best Female Record-Breaking Performance – Women’s Golf

Male Rooke of the Year – Reid Howard, Baseball

Female Rookie of the Year – Alivia Skidmore, Volleyball

Newcomer of the Year – Ryan Wideman, Baseball

Head Coach of the Year – Marc Rardin, Baseball

Staff Member of the Year – Tara Hornal (Business Office) and Duane Hall(Strength and Conditioning)

Best Comeback Award – Women’s Golf

Best Upset Award – Baseball vs. No. 17 Dallas Baptist

Big Red Legacy Award – Catie Craig, Women’s Golf

Mr. Hilltopper Award – Tyler “Fluff” Olden, Men’s Basketball

Ms. Hilltopper Award – Sofia Blanco, Women’s Tennis

Phillip Hatchett Hilltopper Spirit Award – Cal Higgins, Baseball

Brent Chumbley Hilltopper GRIT Award – Kaison Barton, Track and Field

John O. Oldham Student Athlete of the Year – Ryan Wideman, Baseball

John O. Oldham Student Athlete of the Year – Kaylee Cox, Volleyball

Overall Team Performance – Baseball