Valley Names its Two Top Student-Athletes for 2025

An exceptional dual-sport athlete and an outstanding baseball player have been selected today as the two winners this year of Kalamazoo Valley Community College's highest honor for student-athletes, the coveted Dale B. Lake Award.

Sophomores Caley Kerwin, a player on the softball and women's basketball teams at the college, and JJ Manion, a talented right-handed pitcher, have not only been standouts in their sports, but in the classroom. Kerwin upheld a 3.6 GPA and Manion had a 3.5 GPA during their time at the college.

Each year, Valley recognizes one outstanding female and one outstanding male student-athlete with the Dale B. Lake Award, named after the college's founding president. The award program began in 1970. Special consideration is given to exceptional academic achievement, in addition to outstanding athletic contribution. Qualities such as leadership, loyalty, enthusiasm, reliability and initiative are also evaluated.

Kerwin graduated with two associate degrees this past year, one in education in the fall and the second in liberal arts in April. She hopes to attend a four-year university and potentially play softball. She was an outfielder at Valley. Also a great guard for the women's basketball team, her fellow players this year voted her their Defensive Player of the Year. In her free time, the Schoolcraft High School graduate volunteers working with children at her church.

"Caley is an exceptional leader both on the field and in the classroom," explained Head Softball Coach Lisa Karau, who nominated her for the Dale B. Lake Award. "She has dedicated the past two years of her time at Kalamazoo Valley working super hard."

Manion has pursued liberal arts and nursing at Valley. He plans to transfer to Grand Valley State University in the fall to study nursing and play baseball. The Kalamazoo Christian High School grad was a starter for the last two years for the Cougars, and this year made team captain. He has earned multiple athletic accolades, including All-MCCAA Baseball (Michigan Community College Athletic Association), All-MCCAA First Team Western Conference, All-MCCAA Freshman Team, National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) Region 12 Division II All-Region and MCCAA 2025 Pitcher of the Week two times.

Head Baseball Coach Steve Bennecke who nominated Manion can't sing his praises enough. "JJ has been a quiet leader on and off the field for us. His work ethic has been second to none, and his teammates respect his bulldog mentality," Bennecke said. "He took leadership roles with our team from the time he walked on to campus, from having player meetings to leading the guys at community service events."

Every spring, Kalamazoo Valley asks coaches to nominate one individual from their team to the athletic director for consideration for the Dale B. Lake Award. The athletic director then chooses one male and one female award winner. Although an exceptional first year student-athlete, with appropriate supporting data, could be selected for this award, sophomores who have made such contributions for two years are given priority consideration.

Each winner receives a plaque and will be added to the Dale B. Lake plaque displayed within the Athletic office at Kalamazoo Valley.

For more sports news, visit athletics.kvcc.edu.