Kristina Kniesly Earns 2021-22 G-MAC Female Athlete of the Year

Indianapolis, Ind. - On Tuesday, June 12, the Great Midwest Athletic Conference (G-MAC) announced its' selections for the 2021-22 Conference Athletes of the Year. The athlete selected as the winner of the 2021-22 G-MAC Female Athlete of the Year is Findlay's senior golfer, Kristina Kniesly.

Kniesly was selected as the top female athlete in the conference, all sports included, after putting together one of the most dominant single seasons in the history of Findlay athletics. A native of Logansport, Ind., Kniesly earned first-team all-American honors from the Women's Golf Coaches' Association (WGCA) and was also named all-East Region, G-MAC Player of the Year, and first-team all-G-MAC. Her single-season scoring average of 73.89 and her career scoring average of 76.21 both established new school and G-MAC records and she leaves Findlay as a winner of five tournaments, three of which came this past spring where she earned medalist at the SVSU Spring Invite, the Findlay Spring Invite, and the G-MAC Championship.

Her talent was most on display at the 2022 NCAA Division II National Championship in Gainesville, Georgia where she led the Oilers to the program's first national title, battling through three rounds of medal match play to claim the championship. At that event, Kniesly's average score was 72.67 over six rounds and included a perfect 3-0 record in medal match play.

"It is incredibly exciting that Kristina Kniesly has earned G-MAC Female Athlete of the Year this year", said Vice President for Student Affairs and Director of Athletics, Brandi Laurita. "After seeing the way she re-dedicated herself to the game of golf this past year and watching all of her hard work and dedication come to fruition with an NCAA national title, there is no one more deserving. Kristina is a special athlete and her selection is just another addition to what has been an incredible career and we are so very proud of her and all she has accomplished."

The Great Midwest Female Athlete of the Year is traditionally presented on an annual level to a nominee based on athletic accomplishments and contributions to their specific sports and the institution's overall athletic program. The award is voted on by the Sports Information Directors at each of the Great Midwest institutions. This is the first G-MAC Female Athlete of the Year award earned by a University of Findlay athlete and the first selection overall since Eldred Henry won the Male Athlete of the Year in 2018-19.

Ashland's Trevor Bassitt earned the distinction as the 2021-22 G-MAC Men's Athlete of the Year.