ICCAC Reveals Male Student-Athlete of the Year Finalists for 2025-26
The ICCAC announced the four finalists for the 2025-26 Male Student-Athlete of the Year Award. It is the ninth year the award has been presented, and it honors those who exemplify what it means to be a student-athlete. Multiple criteria are considered for the award, including athletic accomplishments, community involvement and academic success during the 2025-26 school year. The winner of this year's Male Student-Athlete of the Year Award will be announced Wednesday, May 20.
The finalists for this year's award are:
George McIntyre - Iowa Central - Baseball
George McIntyre has been a cornerstone of excellence at Iowa Central and for the Tritons baseball team. This season, McIntyre leads NJCAA Division II in hits (103), runs (132), home runs (30), total bases (215) and slugging percentage (1.034) while helping lead the Tritons to a 50-10 record and the squad's second consecutive Region 11 Tournament title, District Championship and NJCAA World Series appearance.
This season, McIntyre was named the ICCAC Player of the Year and has been named the ICCAC Player of the Week twice in an extremely competitive conference field. He has collected First Team Academic All-Region honors and been named to the NJCAA Third Team Academic All-American. He is a strong candidate for this season's Offensive Player of the Year award in NJCAA Division II Baseball.
Off the field and in the community, McIntyre carries himself with integrity and professionalism. Demonstrating his passion for baseball, McIntyre has spent time helping with youth baseball camps through multiple organizations.
Committed to Dallas Baptist University, McIntyre has left a lasting impression at Iowa Central both on the field and within the college as a whole.
Louis Krüger - Iowa Lakes - Soccer
Louis Krüger has embraced a leadership role on the Iowa Lakes soccer team and excelled on and off the field. What separates Krüger from his peers is his calm and composed play, which helped change matches for the Lakers. He recorded nine clean sheets in 18 games and made three penalty saves this past season. He posted shutouts in both the Region 11 title game and Plains District Championship to give the Lakers two titles and an appearance at the national tournament.
Krüger jumped from not making the All-Region list in his first season to becoming a First Team All-Region honoree and an NJCAA Second Team All-American. In addition, his academic success speaks for itself, earning him First Team Academic All-Region and First Team Academic All-American honors.
The impact Krüger brings to Iowa Lakes and the surrounding community goes beyond contributions on the soccer field. Krüger has helped clean up trash, worked at the Clay County Fair and helped serve chocolate at the local store Grand Meander during the holidays.
Krüger has already joined Southern Illinois University Edwardsville to continue his academic and athletic pursuits. He leaves Iowa Lakes having made a lasting impact on the school and community with leadership and hard work.
Tony Palmer - Iowa Western - Football/Wrestling
Tony Palmer is a dual-sport athlete at Iowa Western, demonstrating strong time management to excel in two physical sports and in the classroom. In both football and wrestling, Palmer has claimed national championships this season. Wrestling in the 197-pound weight class, he went undefeated this past season while claiming his national championship. In football, he compiled 11 tackles as the Reivers went on to win their third title in five years.
Throughout this past academic year, Palmer has collected impressive accolades. He earned an Athlete of the Week honor this year, along with First Team All-Region and First Team All-American honors in wrestling. In his schoolwork, Palmer has maintained a high GPA, earning Second Team Academic All-Region honors.
Off the field and outside the classroom, Palmer is a leader and a positive influence. Palmer has been an involved clinician in numerous youth camps in both wrestling and football. Additionally, his involvement extends to community engagement events in the Council Bluffs/Omaha area.
It is clear that Palmer has left a lasting legacy of excellence at Iowa Western and in the community. His dedication to being the best through hard work and determination in both football and wrestling, while also balancing strong academics, has made an impact.
Gavyn Whitehead - Indian Hills - Wrestling
Gavyn Whitehead has left a lasting impression on Indian Hills and the Warriors wrestling team. This season, Whitehead was crowned the NJCAA 141-pound national champion and also helped lead Indian Hills to a team national title. The individual national title was Whitehead's second consecutive NJCAA title, demonstrating his wrestling prowess.
Accompanying the success on the mat are multiple accolades, including Open Mat Wrestler of the Year. Balancing his athletic responsibilities, Whitehead has maintained impressive grades, earning First Team Academic All-Region and Third Team NJCAA Academic All-American honors.
In the community, Whitehead has made his presence felt. Showing a commitment to helping others, Whitehead has frequently assisted with school activities, Centerville community events and team responsibilities, always stepping up when needed.
Whitehead has committed to the Division I University of Arkansas-Little Rock. He leaves behind a legacy of academic, athletic and community success at Indian Hills.