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Rylee Lemos, Gabe Johnson Named Finalists For Ken B. Jones Award

Central Oklahoma Duo Each One of Five Finalists

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Rylee Lemos and Gabe Johnson were both named finalists for the Ken B. Jones award, the MIAA announced Monday.
 
The Ken B. Jones award highlights the MIAA's top female and male student-athletes from the most recent academic year. The 2025-26 academic season will mark the 33rd year of this annual award.
 
Each school associated with the MIAA may nominate one male and one female student-athlete. Each nominee must have completed at least their junior season of athletic eligibility by June 1 and have a cumulative grade-point average of at least a 3.25 through the previous full semester term.
 
The nominees will be ranked using a weighted system that consists of three different aspects. The Ken B. Jones selection committee will use 50 percent for the year's athletics accomplishments, 30 percent for career academic achievements, and 20 percent for the year's campus and community service.

Lemos, the MIAA Player of the Year and two-time MIAA Defensive Player of the year, is a three-time All-MIAA selection and Gold Glove recipient. She earned D2CCA Central Region Player of the Year as well this season. Lemos has led Broncho softball to the NCAA Division II Super Regional Championship (May 21-22) in Joplin, Mo. The senior from South Coffeyville, Oklahoma holds records for runs scored (250) and triples (24), and she ranks in the top 10 in more than 10 statistical categories in UCO history. As an outfielder, Lemos has only made one error in her four-year career entering the Championships.
 
Academically, Lemos has a 4.0 GPA at UCO. She is a four-year member of the President's Honor Roll. She also served as the Vice President of UCO's Human Resource Management Club. Lemos is also a four-time MIAA Academic Excellence Award recipient and MIAA Academic Honor Roll member, as well as a three-time MIAA Scholar-Athlete.
 
Throughout her career, Lemos has been an active volunteer in the community. She volunteered her time at a senior facility, visited a community home working with youth in local foster care, and participated in a Make-A-Wish Softball Game. Lemos is also a member of the UCO SAAC and the Fellowship of Christian Athletes.

Johnson is a three-time NCAA Division II wrestling National Champion at 157 pounds and a four-time All-American. The senior from Choctaw was also named NCAA Division II Wrestler of the Year, NCAA Division II Super Region IV Wrestler of the Year, and MIAA Wrestler of the Year this past season. Johnson owns the UCO career tech fall record (30) and ended his career with an undefeated senior season and an overall record of 114-16.
 
Academically, Johnson is pursuing his master's degree in business administration with a 3.81 GPA after earning his undergraduate degree in marketing in 2025. He's a five-time MIAA Academic Honor Roll member, a four-time MIAA Scholar Athlete, and he was named an Academic All-American by the National Wrestling Coaches Association.
 
Johnson is a member of the UCO Student-Athlete Advisory Committee where he helps plan different events on campus throughout the academic year. Additionally, he joined a student-led initiative supporting student attendance at sporting events on campus.
 
Each finalist will be recognized at the 2026 MIAA Awards Celebration, where the female and male winners will be announced on stage. The ceremony will be held Monday, June 1 at the Nelson-Atkins Museum Auditorium in Kansas City, Mo.
 
The MIAA Awards Celebration is open to the public, and the MIAA conference office is accepting RSVPs until Wednesday, May 27. A recording of the ceremony will be available to watch for free on June 2, on the MIAA Network.
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Players Mentioned

Rylee Lemos

#8 Rylee Lemos

OF
5' 6"
Senior
L/R
Gabe Johnson

Gabe Johnson

5' 8"
Senior

Players Mentioned

Rylee Lemos

#8 Rylee Lemos

5' 6"
Senior
L/R
OF
Gabe Johnson

Gabe Johnson

5' 8"
Senior
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