NORTHEAST ANNOUNCES 2025-26 ATHLETIC AWARD RECIPIENTS AT ANNUAL ATHLETIC BANQUET

NORFOLK, Neb. – The Northeast Community College athletic department announced their 2025-26 athletic awards at their annual student-athlete banquet Monday night. As voted on by the entire athletic department, Amy Lauby (Fairmont, Neb.) earned the Female Character Student-Athlete of the Year award, Giuseppe Salvatore (Johnstown, Colo.) won the Male Character Student-Athlete of the Year award, Aaliyah Jones (Rapid City, S.D.) was the recipient of the Female Athlete of the Year award and Len Valkema (Leewarden, Netherlands) earned the Male Student-Athlete of the Year award.

Athletic Director Jerrett Mills was impressed by everything that Lauby, a softball student-athlete who is a pitcher and a hitter, brought to Northeast throughout her career.

"Amy Lauby has defined what it means to be a true character student-athlete," Mills said. "She upholds the philosophy of our athletic departments and strives to be the best person that she can be every day."

Salvatore, baseball student-athlete who is a catcher on the diamond, also stood out to Mills during his time with the Hawks

"Giuseppe is an incredible young man who is very personable and is a great recipient of our Male Charter Student-Athlete of the Year award based on the way he treats others around the Northeast community."

Jones was named 2025-26 NJCAA DII Women's Basketball Second Team All-American and scored 585 points this year, bringing her total at Northeast to 1,183, which is fourth puts her fourth all-time. She was also named First Team All-Region by the ICCAC.

"Aaliyah Jones has been very fun to watch throughout her career at Northeast," Mills said. "She was a true scoring threat for our women's basketball program and I'm excited to see what she does in the future. It was an honor to have her at Northeast and get to watch her put up as many points as she did."

Valkema was named 2025 NJCAA DII Men's Soccer First Team All-American and scored 17 goals, recorded five assists and tallied 39 points while leading the Hawks back to the 2025 NJCAA DII Men's Soccer Championship for the fourth-straight year. He was previously awarded with Region 11 Men's Soccer Player of the Year honors and was also named First Team All-Region in 2025.

"Len Valkema was a perfect example of what you look for in a Northeast men's soccer player," Mills said. "He did everything that was asked of him and rose to the level on many occasions in helping the Hawks secure many victories over the last two seasons. He will be remembered for a long time as a true goal-scoring threat and a great individual."

The award recipients were awarded a glass trophy and will have their name and picture on the wall at the Cox Activities Center for many years to come.

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