KANSAS CITY, Mo. - Two Missouri Western student-athletes were named finalists for MIAA Fall Student-Athlete of the Year awards as announced by the association on Wednesday.Griffon football's Shawn Rouse was one of five finalists for the MIAA Fall Male Student-Athlete of the Year while Griffon volleyball's Ali Tauchen was one of five finalists for the female award. The awards are the association's highest honor in 2019-20 for student-athletes in their respective seasons.Missouri Western joined Pittsburg State as the only two MIAA members to have both female and male finalists for the fall season. The winners of the Fall Student-Athlete of the Year award will be announced on Thursday, May 21. Winners of the Winter Student-Athlete of the Year award will be announced on Friday, May 22.The 2019-2020 Student-Athlete of the Year awards are given in lieu of the annual Ken B. Jones award due to the COVID-19 global pandemic. The MIAA's COVID-19 Task Force recommended an award that properly recognizes the top student-athletes from the fall and winter but not limit the spring sport student-athletes who were unable to finish their seasons and collect accolades for a fair and competitive resume.A 15-member committee comprised of one administrator from each MIAA institution and the conference office ranked each candidate based on excellence in three categories: Athletic Achievement in that academic year, Career Academic Achievements, and Community/Campus Service during the Academic Year. A nominee must have at least a 3.25 cumulative grade-point average through the previous full semester term through February 1 of the academic year of nomination at the certifying member institution.2019 Female Fall Student-Athlete of the Year Finalists Allysa Gann - Central Missouri, Soccer Dominique Lipari - Central Oklahoma, Volleyball Ali Tauchen - Missouri Western, Volleyball Julianne Jackson - Nebraska Kearney, Volleyball Piper Misse - Pittsburg State, Cross Country 2019 Male Fall Student-Athlete of the Year Finalists Jace McDown - Emporia State, Football Mortiz Walther - Fort Hays State, Soccer Shawn Rouse - Missouri Western, Football Ryan Dodd - Pittsburg State, Football Kyle Hinton - Washburn, Football 2019 Female Winter Student-Athlete of the Year Finalists Morgan Fleming - Central Missouri, Basketball Kacey Kennett - Fort Hays State, Basketball Elena Bisotto - Missouri Southern, Indoor Track &amp; Field Tiara Schmidt - Nebraska Kearney, Indoor Track &amp; Field Haven Lander - Pittsburg State, Indoor Track &amp; Field 2019 Male Winter Student-Athlete of the Year Finalists Brandon Ball - Fort Hays State, Wrestling Kizan David - Lincoln, Indoor Track &amp; Field Cam Martin - Missouri Southern, Basketball Matt Malcom - Nebraska Kearney, Wrestling Levi Wyrick - Pittsburg State, Wrestling--- MWSU Athletics ---

MWSU's Rouse, Tauchen named finalists for MIAA Fall Student-Athlete of the Year