CARMEL, Ind. – The Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference (HCAC) recognized
Madison Kellione (Cynthiana, Ky.) as the 2022-23 HCAC Athlete of the Year for women’s sports on Thursday, following a vote of league officials.
Kellione is the first student-athlete to win the award in back-to-back years, raising the bar set by herself a year ago, behind a stellar senior campaign. The Transylvania University women’s basketball player led the Pioneers to their first National title, claiming the 2023 NCAA Division III Women’s Basketball National Championship following a perfect 33-0 run through the season. The Pioneers year culminated in the National Championship on the national stage, competing in the title game in conjunction with the Division I and Division II Women’s Basketball Championships in celebration of the 50th year of Title IX.
On the court, Kellione was impressive, leading a dangerous Pioneer team that finished the season ranked No. 1 in the country. She was ranked 13th nationally in assists and 26th in points. The senior took home many awards for her incredible 2022-23 season, including the NCAA Championship Most Valuable Player, the HCAC Women’s Basketball Athlete of the Year, the HCAC Tournament Team MVP, a D3hoops.com Second Team All-American, D3 Hoops 8th Region First Team, and WBCA All-American.
As if that was not enough, Kellione also earned the impressive recognition of the NCAA Division III Women’s Basketball Elite 90 award, which recognizes the true essence of the student- athlete by honoring the individual who has reached the pinnacle of competition at the national championship level in their sport, while also achieving the highest academic standard among peers. The Elite 90 is presented to the student-athlete with the highest cumulative grade-point average participating at the finals site for each of the NCAA's championships. Kellione boasts a 3.94 cumulative GPA as a physics major with minors in math, computer science, and biology and is the first Transylvania Pioneer to ever earn this prestigious award.
The HCAC Athlete of the Year award is in its 10th year of existence. The award is voted on by the sports information directors of each member institution.
For more information on all things HCAC, visit the websites of any of the participating schools, or go to the HCAC's home on the internet at www.heartlandconf.org. Be sure to stay up to date on all of your Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference news by following @HCACDIII on Twitter and by liking the "HCAC DIII" Facebook page.
HCAC Female Athlete of the Year
2023 Madison Kellione, Women’s Basketball, Transylvania University
2022 Madison Kellione, Women’s Basketball, Transylvania University
2021 Alehia Tucker, Softball, Mount St. Joseph University
2020 Brynna Sentel, Women's Swimming and Diving, Franklin College
2019 Aishat Sadiq, Track & Field, Earlham College
2018 Renae Morton, Softball, Transylvania University
2017 Jordin Fender, Track & Field, Transylvania University
2016 Terrill Webb, Track & Field, Bluffton University
2015 Anna Murdock, Cross Country and Track & Field, Franklin College
2014 Bridgette Rowe, Soccer and Track & Field, Manchester University