Softball All-American Tayah Kelley ’24 and football all-conference running back Connor McNabb ’24 were honored in June as Linfield’s 2023-24 female and male athletes of the year.
It was the third consecutive year in which Kelley won the female award.
Kelley led all NCAA Division III pitchers with 32 wins in the circle this season while posting four saves and a 1.51 ERA. Over the course of her career, she set all-time Linfield records in total innings pitched (772.1), ERA (1.96), wins (111), shutouts (31) and strikeouts (951) – and she ranks among the top five in saves (8) and opponent batting average (.187).
McNabb was named first-team All-Northwest Conference for the third season in a row. He rushed for 724 yards, compiled 226 receiving yards and scored seven touchdowns on the year. He helped the Linfield offense to a conference-best 41.8 points per game and 456.8 yards per game.
In other year-end athletics news, Brynn Nelson ’25 (softball) and Colton Smith ’24 (football) received the Vern Marshall Award, created in memory of former student-athlete and longtime college and professional referee Vern Marshall Sr. ’57. It honors athletes who compete with the greatest tenacity.
