12/11/2025
Recent Central College graduates Addison Parrott and Kaleb Brand have been nominated for the American Rivers Conference's Johana Olson and Duane Schroeder Scholar-Athlete of the Year Awards.
Parrott graduated with a 3.85 cumulative grade point average as a sociology and psychology major with a minor in religious studies. She is now in graduate school to achieve her master's in clinic mental health counseling from Liberty University (Va.). A distance runner at Central, Parrott tallied third All-American performances between cross country and track and field. In 2024, she became the first Central female to win the American Rivers Conference cross country title, earning league Most Valuable Performer honors. She also won the indoor 5,000-meters title at the 2025 conference meet. Parrott was a two-time College Sports Communicators Academic All-District selection. She was a member of the American Rivers Academic All-Conference six times across track and field and cross country. She also earned USTFCCCA All-Academic honors five times.
Brand graduated with a 3.81 cumulative grade point average as a business management major and minoring in finance. He is now an inside sales associate at Musco Lighting in Oskaloosa. Also a dual-sport athlete, Brand earned second team American Rivers All-Conference honors in basketball in 2024-25. He led the league in assists (158) and reset the Dutch single-season record. He also earned all-conference honors in track & field after finishing second in the 400 meters, 4x800-meter relay and third in the 4x400-relay at the 2024 outdoor championships. Brand was a five-time College Sports Communicators Academic All-District pick between the two sports. He was a member of the American Rivers Academic All-Conference seven times across track and field and basketball.
There are six females and six males under consideration for the honors. The finalists will be announced on December 17th with the winner revealed on January 7th. The award winners will be selected by a group of nine faculty athletics representatives.
The league awards were established in 2000-01. Central student-athletes have received the men's award five times and the women's award three times. Central's most recent winner was NCAA Today's Top 10 Award and Gagliardi Trophy winner Blaine Hawkins in 2021-22.
Pella, Iowa -- 1/11/25-Central College men's Basketball vs Loras. Photo by Dan L. Vander BeekRecent Central College graduates Addison Parrott and Kaleb Brand have been nominated for the American Rivers Conference’s Johana Olson and Duane Schroeder Scholar-Athlete
