OMAHA, Neb. – College of Saint Mary swim coach Liz Germonprez and track & field coach Steve Gordon Jr. were named Co-Coaches of the Year, and Imani Skanes was named Athlete of the Year on Tuesday during the Flames Choice Awards ceremony in the Lied Fitness Center Fieldhouse.

Germonprez was named Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference Coach of the Year for the 2026 season after the Flames matched the program's best finish in their four-year participation in the league.

Gordon led the indoor track & field program to a tie for fourth in the Great Plains Athletic Conference meet, the program's best finish. He also guided the outdoor track & field team to a fourth place at the GPAC meet, which tied for a program-best finish.

Among Gordon's pupils is Skanes, a freshman from Omaha Northwest who became CSM's first national champion in any sport when she won the long jump at the NAIA national indoor meet in March.

Former Flames All-American volleyball player Lindsey (Hill) Fuller ('07) was inducted into the CSM Athletic Hall of Fame. An additional story detailing her achievements will be forthcoming.

The annual athletic banquet recognizes student-athletes, coaches and special guests for outstanding achievements during the 2025-26 season of Flames athletics.

Other award winners:

Academic Team of the Year: Swimming

Newcomer of the Year: Imani Skanes (Track & Field). Other nominees were Ezzy Castro (Soccer), Hannah Ferguson (Swimming), Kynzee McFadden (Softball), Gozie Okafor (Track & Field), Jai'La Porter (Basketball), Abigail Rosloniec (Bowling).

Moment of the Year: Imani Skanes (Track & Field), winning CSM's first national championship in any sport, the long jump at the NAIA indoor meet. Other nominees: Indoor Track & Field (second consecutive year in national top 25); Swimming (named 2026 KCAC Team of Character); Competitive Dance (best-ever GPAC finish); Soccer (first win over Hastings in school history); Grace Corrigan (Soccer) scored first career goal to upset Hastings in second match back after torn ACL; Kayla Reed (Softball) ESPN Top 10-worthy catch in Arizona, crashing into outfield fence.

Team of the Year: Indoor Track & Field. Other nominees were cross country and swimming.

Heart of the Flame Award: Lexi Barnes (Basketball). Other nominees were Ireland Todd (Track & Field), Autumn Neale (Swimming) and Elizabeth Kenny (Competitive Dance).

Co-Coaches of the Year: Liz Germonprez (Swimming) and Steve Gordon Jr. (Track & Field). Other nominees were Derek Fey (Cross Country) and Keri Rodriguez (Golf).

Athlete of the Year: Imani Skanes (Track & Field). Other nominees were Kylee Brown (Swimming), Hannah O'Neal (Bowling) and Ella Watts (Softball).

Champions of Character Award: Mikaiya Rodgers (Track & Field). Other nominees were Madelyn Gaughen (Basketball), Ella Klusman (Soccer and Basketball), Hannah O'Neal (Bowling) and Elen Pruett (Volleyball).

Flames Spirit Award: Kevin White (Sports Information Director)

Best Dressed Awards: Mikaiya Rodgers (Track & Field), Jimena Estrada Gomez (Soccer) and Ella Miller (Cross Country/Track & Field).

Hall of Fame Inductee: Lindsey (Hill) Fuller (Volleyball)

Most Valuable Players by Sport: Madelyn Gaughen (Basketball), Hannah O'Neal (Bowling), Evelyn Andrade (Competitive Dance), Kara Muller (Cross Country), Victoria Farkas (Golf), Jimena Estrada Gomez (Soccer), Ella Watts (Softball-Offense), Kayla Reed (Softball-Defense), Kylee Brown (Swimming), Callista Uchil (Tennis), Imani Skanes (Track & Field) and Azaria Green (Volleyball).

Breakout Players by Sport: Lexi Barnes (Basketball), Madison Barnes (Bowling), Kelsey Beles (Competitive Dance), Yenifer Juan Jesus (Cross Country), Frede Weiss (Golf), Jenna Brown (Soccer), Jaidyn Vanschoiack (Swimming), Yana Gupta (Tennis), Gozie Okafor (Track & Field) and Emma Martins (Volleyball).

Other awards recognized during the banquet included CSM Scholar-Athletes, the GPAC Pflieger-Olson award winners and graduating seniors.