Centennial Student Union Blog
JULY 1 – One of the greatest student-athletes in Maverick history, Denisha Cartwright officially qualified to represent her native Bahamas at the 2024 Summer Olympics. The first round of competition at the Paris games is Thursday, Aug. 8. Cartwright set the national DII record in the 100 meter hurdles this spring. She finishes her collegian career as both the 2024 Indoor and Outdoor National Women’s Track Athlete of the Year as well as the Honda DII Athlete of the Year.
Maverick Athletics has announced its all-female list of 2023 Hall of Fame inductees in the student-athlete and team categories as the University celebrates the 50th anniversary of Title IX. Maverick HOF ceremonies and the dedication of a “Nine for IX” display will be Friday, Oct. 6, during Homecoming Week.
Shane Zylstra, Maverick football single season (2019) and career record-holder for pass receptions, receiving yards and receiving touchdowns, suffered a serious knee injury during Detroit Lions training camp. Early prognosis suspected the injury was season ending for Zylstra with an expected six-month recovery.
One of Minnesota State Mankato’s best-known alums is Adam Thielen, All Pro wide receiver for the Minnesota Vikings. Thielen’s latest accolade is the Vikings nominee for the Walter Payton Man of the Year award. In 2018, Thielen and wife Caitlin, also a Minnesota State Mankato alum, launched the Thielen Foundation which largely supports youth-based programs. Vote for Adam on your social media with hashtag hashtag #WPMOYChallengeThielen
Brian Bahl received a five-year extension to remain at the helm of the Maverick women’s soccer program. Head coach since 2013, Bahl is the program’s winningest coach with an overall record of 147-21-14.
Adding to his 2022 Hobey Baker Award as the nation’s top college men’s hockey player, Maverick goalie Dryden McKay concluded is college career as USA Hockey’s 2022 Jim Johannsen College Player of the Year. McKay has signed a two-year contract with the Toronto Maple Leafs.
Maverick sophomore sprinter Denisha Cartwright heads into the NSIC Outdoor Track & Field Championships ranked among the nation’s fastest NCAA Division II sprinters. The Nassau, Bahamas, native earned her fourth NSIC Track Athletic of the Week this outdoor season following the Deb Schulz Open at Minnesota State Mankato. She is also a member of the Mavericks 400-meter relay team which holds this spring’s top time in Division II.