Rodriguez, Bonomi named Athletes of the Year at Cowley College
Honoring Cowley College’s men’s and women’s athletes of the month at the annual athletic banquet held Friday inside W.S. Scott Auditorium, wrestler Evan Rodriguez and volleyball standout Laura Bonomi were honored as the 2024-2025 Athletes of the Year.
Honoring Cowley College's men's and women's athletes of the month at the annual athletic banquet held Friday inside W.S. Scott Auditorium, wrestler Evan Rodriguez and volleyball standout Laura Bonomi were honored as the 2024-2025 Athletes of the Year.
Having reached tremendous heights as a member of the Cowley College wrestling team, Rodriguez came to Cowley from Broken Arrow High School in Oklahoma, where he was a three-time state placer.
As a freshman at Cowley, he was crowned the district champion in the 141-pound weight class and named a First Team all-conference, First Team all-region, and First Team All-American.
Rodriguez was ranked No. 1 in the 141-pound weight class for consecutive weeks and was the champion at the Friends University Open. He helped the Tiger wrestling team place 18th at the national championships in Council Bluffs, Iowa, and was named an All-American by placing fifth at nationals.
Bonomi came to Cowley from Ceto, Italy. Having a stellar career in her home country, she continued her success at Cowley, where, as a freshman, she was named NJCAA First Team All-American, AVCA First Team All-American, Volleyball Magazine All-American, First Team All-District, and KJCCC First Team All-Conference as she helped the Lady Tiger volleyball team finish as the undefeated national champion.
As a sophomore, she was a part of the nation's top offense with the NJCAA Division 2's best 15.06 kills per set and a .338 hitting percentage. Her 560 total kills ranked 5th nationally, her 660 total points ranked her 4th nationally, and her 5.3 points per set ranked her 9th nationally. She finished her Cowley career as one of the most decorated players in Cowley history with a resume that includes being a two-time NJCAA National Champion, the 2024 NJCAA and AVCA National Player of the Year, 2023 Volleyballmag.com Player of the Year, 2024 NJCAA DII National Tournament Most Valuable Player, a two-time NJCAA First Team All-American, two-time AVCA First Team All-American, two-time First Team All-District, two-time First Team All-Conference, 2024 KJCCC Conference Most Valuable Player, and 2023 KJCCC Conference Freshman of the Year.
She can now add Cowley College Female Athlete of the Year to her list of accomplishments.
"I am incredibly grateful to be recognized with this amazing honor," Bonomi said. "It would not have been possible without the support of all the great people I met here at Cowley- my coaches, teammates, friends, and this cheerful community. Cowley taught me a lot and made me grow as a person and an athlete. I am so grateful to have been part of this amazing family. Cowley will always be home."
The Lady Tigers finished 81-0 in her two seasons at Cowley, the best two-year record in NJCAA history. The 81-win streak is an NJCAA record, and the team's back-to-back undefeated seasons are a first in NJCAA history.
Bonomi signed a letter of intent to continue her volleyball career and education at Southeastern University in Lakeland, FL.
It was then time to announce the recipient of the Conrad and Janet Jimison Tiger Booster of the Year. Conrad spent 37 years working at Cowley College prior to retiring in 2005.
This year's recipients of the award, Shae and Amber Nichols, are long-time supporters of Cowley College and Tiger athletics.
Shae, Amber, and their two kids can be seen cheering on the Tiger athletic programs at home and away. Shae is always available to help with any IT problems or questions for athletics and works almost every home volleyball and basketball game, doing libero tracking in volleyball and running the scoreboard for basketball, and helping run replay in non-conference games in both sports.
He and his family are unofficial Tiger Foster Parents for several Cowley soccer athletes.
Oftentimes, when Shae is working the table for volleyball or basketball, his family could be found attending the Tiger soccer games to help spread the love.
Male Athletes of the Month:
August – Miquel Cruz, cross country
September – Andre Ecker, soccer
October – Dane Harvey, baseball
November – Evan Rodriguez, wrestling
December – Cade Baldridge, baseball
January – Victor Morfin, track and field
February – Shamarrie Hugie, basketball
March – Marcus Zeigler, basketball
April – Matthew Mayse, cheer
May – Pedro de la Riva, tennis
Female Athletes of the Month:
August – Laura Bonomi, volleyball
September – Hanna Darvas, volleyball
October – Kayli Myers, cross country
November – Sara Puskus, volleyball
December – Jamie Molina, basketball and softball
January – Hina Suzuki, soccer
February – Dakota Dapper, track and field
March – Serena Pereyra, tennis; Elysa Martinez, basketball
April – Natalie Jenkins, dance; Hattie Pyle, basketball
May – Mikah Vann, softball