KCAC announces men's champions of character, academic honors

WICHITA, KAN. – In anticipation of the 2022-23 Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference Swimming and Diving Championships tomorrow, the KCAC has announced its champions of character and scholar athletes for each program.

JR Albers was named the KCAC Champion of Character for the Morningside men's swim team, as presented by IMA Financial Group and Dissinger Reed. 

The KCAC's character programs are based on the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics Champions of Character program, which aims to inspire student-athletes, coaches, officials, and fans to hold high standards and embody what character truly means in a competitive arena. By keeping the five core values of integrity, respect, responsibility, sportsmanship and servant leadership at the heart of the athletics experience, the Champions of Character program empowers participants to change the culture of sport.

The KCAC also announced its 2022-23 Scholar Athlete academic awards, presented by Barnes & Noble College, recognizing athletes of at least sophomore status that maintain a 3.250 or better GPA. Morningside had five athletes named to the list.

The Mustangs receiving the scholar athlete distinction are Albers, Easton Gelinne, Matthew Hanner, Gabe Marthaler, and Willy Pinnow.

Competition in the conference meet begins tomorrow, Feb. 2, and continues through Saturday, Feb. 4, in Fremont, Neb.