ORANGE CITY, Iowa – The Northwestern College athletic department has announced the winners of the six annual Red Raider athletic awards for the 2024-25 academic year. The awards were voted on by the NWC coaching staff, athletic department staff, and the Raider Athletics Advancement Board (RAAB). Awards were presented at the second annual N-Dubs awards show on Sunday, May 4.
VANDER STOEP AWARD – FEMALE
Jazlin Douma, Volleyball
The 2023 and 2024 GPAC Player of the Year, Douma receives the Vander Stoep Award for the second year in a row. In 33 matches played this season, she put up 490 kills for a 4.38 kills per set average, leading the conference in both categories and sitting 10th in the NAIA in kills per set. Her performance last season saw her earn First Team NAIA All-American honors once again in 2024. In her career, she earned two CSC Academic All-America First Team honors for her work in the classroom. Douma set a new program record with 33 kills in this year’s GPAC Championship and also had a career-high seven blocks on the same night. She ends her Red Raider career with 1,393 kills, 223 blocks, and 978 digs in three seasons.
VANDER STOEP AWARD – MALE
Parker Fryar, Football
Fryar, a senior from Waukee, Iowa, made an immediate impact after transferring back to Northwestern following a year at the University of South Dakota. A two-time GPAC Defensive Player of the Year, Fryar picked up 109 tackles last season, his fourth time going over 100 tackles at Northwestern. He also had 10 tackles for loss, one interception, three pass breakups, and two forced fumbles on the year, leading to his second career NAIA All-American accolade. Fryar was one of the top student-athletes in the country, receiving CSC Academic All-America First Team honors. The senior ends his four years at Northwestern second in program history in total tackles (451) and is Northwestern’s only defensive player to be named GPAC Player of the Year multiple times.
ABOUT THE VANDER STOEP AWARD
The oldest of all the athletic awards presented at Northwestern College, the Vander Stoep Award began in 1946 by Arie Vander Stoep, a former business manager at the college. In 1978 Don Vander Stoep joined Arie in sponsoring the award. One award was presented annually to a male athlete until 1978-79 when a second award was added for women.
The award, which can be won by juniors and seniors, takes into consideration attitude and sportsmanship on and off the playing field and comparative contribution made to the success of the team.
To be eligible, the athletes must have attended Northwestern College for four consecutive semesters. He or she must also have participated in one or two major sports for at least two years, while earning a minimum of two varsity letters in one or more sports.
DR. NOORDEWIER ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT AWARD – FEMALE
Molly Schany, Women’s Basketball
Receiving the award for the second consecutive year, Schany closed her career as one of the most decorated players in program history on the court and in the classroom. Earlier this year, Schany was named to the CSC Academic All-America Second Team, her second career Academic All-America selection. The senior physical education major averaged 16.5 points and 10.1 boards this season, all while holding a cumulative GPA of 4.0. She was one of two players in the conference to average a double-double, was fourth in the GPAC in scoring and second in rebounding. Schany ended her career with 2,214 points, which is eighth in program history, and 1,147 rebounds, second in program history. She is the fourth player in school history to collect 2,000 points and 1,000 boards.
DR. NOORDEWIER ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT AWARD – MALE
Trystin Voss, Football
Voss, a junior actuarial science and finance major from Rogersville, Missouri, had the best season of his career in 2024. The Raider defensive lineman made a mark on the field and in the classroom, posting a 3.99 cumulative GPA and receiving CSC Academic All-District honors. He received First Team All-GPAC honors on the interior defensive line, leading the team in tackles for loss (13) and sacks (7.0). Voss also recovered a fumble and picked up 52 tackles on the year.
ABOUT THE DR. NOORDEWIER ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
Dr. Noordewier taught in Northwestern’s biology department for 34 years and is one of the reasons Northwestern College is known for its strong science programs. Dr. Noordewier has served as Northwestern’s Faculty Athletic Representative (FAR) for 30 years and as the Great Plains Athletic Conference (GPAC) Eligibility Chair for 15 years. He has also served numerous long-standing appointments at the NAIA level. In 2013 he received the NAIA’s Wally Schwarz Faculty Athletics Representative of the Year Award, and in 2015 he received Northwestern’s Faculty Inspirational Service Award. Dr. Noordewier is known for academic excellence and rigor, attention to details, and a desire to serve students.
GEORGE DUNLOP SPORTSMANSHIP AWARD
Drew Dykstra, Baseball
Dykstra, a senior sport management major from Urbandale, Iowa, was a leader on the baseball team this season. In addition to leading the team in strikeouts on the mound, Dykstra’s impact went beyond the field of play, leading team Bible studies, completing an internship at his church in Des Moines, and spoke at a prayer vigil in The Hub following the loss of teammate Aden De Jong. He is described by head coach Brian Wede as a great encourager, a faithful leader, and a man of God.
ABOUT THE DUNLOP AWARD
The George Dunlop Sportsmanship Award was originated in 1968 by Mike Eischeid in memory of his late grandfather. Eischeid was a punter in the Super Bowl for both the Oakland Raiders and the Minnesota Vikings. The award is given to the man who best typifies what sportsmanship meant to George Dunlop, a former resident of Orange City. The recipient does not have to be a senior, but preference is given to seniors.
The winner of the award must be an active participant – in some capacity – in athletics at Northwestern. Athletic ability is not the determining factor. To win, one must represent the finest in character and sportsmanship, not only on the athletic field, but off the field, in classroom activities and his everyday life and relationship with others. He must do his best at all times, regardless of the job or position he is asked to hold or play. He must be known as one who never quits, working always for the good of his team and his school. His character and sportsmanship must be an inspiration to those around him, doing what is right in the sight of God and man.
HEIDI JELTEMA ALTENA CHRISTIAN WOMEN’S AWARD
Savonne Sterk, Volleyball/Track & Field
A dual sport athlete in volleyball and track and field, Sterk has competed on the national level in both sports. In volleyball, she was a captain, an NAIA Champion of Character honoree, and First Team All-GPAC selection. On the track, Sterk put up All-GPAC and All-American performances, being named to the all-conference list 13 times. Coaches Kyle Van Den Bosch and Scott Bahrke describe Sterk as a genuine teammate with a servant heart.
ABOUT THE ALTENA CHRISTIAN WOMEN’S AWARD
The Carl Ver Steeg family, whose daughter is Mary Ver Steeg, established the Christian Women’s Award in 1982. Mary was instrumental in the development of varsity women’s sports programs at Northwestern College. She coached women’s basketball for six years and volleyball for four years. In 2006, the name of the award was changed to the Heidi (Jeltema) Altena Christian Woman Athlete Award in memory of Heidi, who demonstrated a sincere Christian faith and servant heart as well as being an outstanding athlete.
The winner of this award must demonstrate a lifestyle and conduct that reflects her faith and commitment to Jesus Christ while participating in athletics. She must also demonstrate qualities of leadership on and off the court or field.
