Horizon League Announces 2025 Indoor #HLTF Sportsmanship Award Winners
Jeffery Green
INDIANAPOLIS (March 21, 2025) – The Horizon League revealed our 2025 Indoor #HLTF Sportsmanship Award winners on Friday, voted on by the League’s head coaches.
Wright State’s Jahi McDonald was named the Men’s Sportsmanship Award recipient while Nina Pizzo of Detroit Mercy and Cierra Lively of Wright State were selected as the Women’s Sportsmanship Award winners.
Dig Deeper:
- “Jahi is a great example of what a leader should be,” proclaims Wright State head coach Rick Williamson, “a diligent worker, a respectful and thoughtful individual, and always there to support his teammates.”
- This fall, Jahi represented the Horizon League at the 2024 NCAA Student-Athlete Leadership Forum.
- “A social butterfly and is friends with many competitors,” exclaims Detroit Mercy head coach Guy Murray on Nina, “She is always talking to her teammates and taking in the meet.”
- She is having her best track season after battling through injuries in her career.
- “Cierra has been a guiding light in our program for the last four years,” remarks coach Williamson. “Without fail, she has always brought energy and positivity to our practices and competitions. She not only supports her teammates during competitions, but also sheers for her competitors, lifting the entire field to new heights.”
- Cierra is also a member of SAAC and works in Wright State’s athletic department with marketing and promotions.
- The Sportsmanship Award recognizes student-athletes who have distinguished themselves through demonstrated acts of sportsmanship and ethical behavior. Sportsmanship is defined as behavior exhibited during competition by student-athletes based on values, respect and integrity.
2025 Horizon League Indoor Track and Field Sportsmanship Award Winners
Men’s Sportsmanship Award: Jahi McDonald, Wright State
Women’s Sportsmanship Awards: Nina Pizzo, Detroit Mercy & Cierra Lively, Wright State
Sportsmanship Award Finalists:
Cody Bartlett, Detroit Mercy
Paige Laffoon, IU Indianapolis
Luke Shappell, IU Indianapolis
Bella Hodges, Purdue Fort Wayne
Nicholas Mills, Purdue Fort Wayne