(Peru, Neb.) – Not unlike others, all colleges and universities have been struck by COVID-19 which has delayed many of their regular events and presentations.

Peru State has experienced the same challenges during the 2020-21 academic year, but finally was able to recognize some of its major award winners last Wednesday night between its double header basketball games with Benedictine (Kan.).

The athletic department recognized their male Swenson award winner and the three individuals who earned Heart of America Athletic Conference (Heart) honors this past year. Vice President of Administration and Finance Debbie White presented the awards in the absence of the President and First Lady. Assisting White were Vivian Brown (Wichita, Kan.), past chair of the Peru Association of Student Athletes (PASA) and McKinley Cross (Buhler, Kan.), recently-elected chair of PASA.

The first to be recognized was Luis Constantino (Varzea Grande, Brazil). Luis was selected by the Peru State athletic department as its Swenson Male Award winner for the 2019-20 year. The award has been given since 1925 to a student-athlete who has been an excellent participant in athletics, has outstanding character, personality, service, and loyalty to Peru State. As the Foundation has been undergoing some changes, Luis's award is not available, but we wanted to give him a formal recognition. Congratulations, Luis!

The next three honorees earned Heart of America Athletic Conference recognition this past July. A nomination packet which included references were submitted to the conference in June for consideration.

The first to be recognized was women's basketball coach Joan Albury. Coach Albury was named as the Heart's Coach of Character winner. The award is given to a coach who is dedicated to deliberately teaching character through their sport. Coach Albury is the first Peru State coach to earn the Heart Coach of Character award.

The next award noted was for Isaac Simpson (Papillion) – a member of the Bobcat men's basketball team. Isaac was named as the Heart's Emil S. Liston award which is for junior men's basketball players. It is awarded based on high athletic and scholastic achievement. Isaac was the second Peru State men's basketball player in a row to win the award. Congratulations, Isaac.

The last Heart award to be handed out went to Taylor Finke (Battle Creek) – a member of the Peru State women's golf team. Taylor received the Heart's A.O. Duer Award which is considered to be the highest honor for a male or female student-athlete as it based on scholarship, character, and playing ability. Finke is the fourth Peru State female to have earned the conference award.