Colorado Springs, CO – Jacksonville University Athletics had two student-athletes recognized by the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA) as 2022 All-American Athlete Strength and Conditioning Athlete of the Year Award recipients.
 
Shaylee Befus of beach volleyball and Jeremy Winston of men's lacrosse received the honors, which recognizes their athletic accomplishments and dedication to strength and conditioning.
 
Befus, a fifth-year from Brighton, Colo., has led the resurgence of the beach volleyball program at JU both on and off the court. A consistent member of the 1's pairing, she has spearheaded a year in which beach set a program record for wins in a single season, and are currently preparing for the ASUN Beach Volleyball Championships.
 
"Shaylee is everything a college coach looks for in a recruit. She has been in our 1's pair for two consecutive years, has had a 4.0 GPA all five years at JU and has been on the ASUN All-Academic Team. For her to finish her collegiate career with an All-American Strength and Conditioning Athlete of the Year Award really just encapsulates who Shaylee is as a person," said Beach Volleyball Head Coach Dylan Hough.
 
"Shaylee is a leader, not only on the sand, but in the weight room as well. She brings tremendous effort and energy, pays attention to the small details and doesn't accept anything less than her best," said Director of Sports Performance Kaitlan Aries. "Shaylee pushes herself and her teammates to be the best versions of themselves they can be every day and embodies everything about this award.
 
"Her passion for strength and conditioning is truly unmatched and she is deserving of every award she receives."
 
Befus was the lone beach volleyball athlete recognized in the country this season by the NSCA.  
 
"Shaylee is the hardest worker in any room she enters and has set the standard for who our student-athletes want to be," Hough continued. "She has laid the foundation for the beach program and will have a lasting effect on the culture and team dynamic for many, many years to come." 
 
Winston, a graduate student from Dallas, Texas, has helped the men's lacrosse program to its first national ranking and are in-line to capture its first SoCon Regular Season Championship.
 
"Special players in your program don't just excel in one area of their life. While Jeremy is a marquee player on the lacrosse field, he is special because of what he does off of it. Jeremy's work ethic in the weight room has changed the culture of strength and conditioning in our program, and will do so for years to come," said Men's Lacrosse Head Coach John Galloway. "His work ethic and effort on a daily basis will leave a legacy that lives far beyond Jeremy's time here. I am so proud of him for earning this award and thankful that people will know Jeremy is special in more ways than just on the lacrosse field."
 
The midfielder has been a leader for the entirety of his tenure at JU, and it is what stood out to Assistant Director of Sports Performance / Director of Sports Science Nick O'Brien.
 
"Jeremy has consistently dedicated himself toward his development and physical preparation from day one. He embraces all that strength and conditioning can provide and works tirelessly to not only improve his own abilities but elevate his teammates around him both on the field and in the weight room no matter their year or place on the depth chart," said O'Brien. "With all the roles and responsibilities that come of a graduate student-athlete and captain he has embraced his earned role and continues to lead by example in each and every training session.
 
"His consistent hard work sets the standard for his teammates and his always positive attitude and encouragement is an infectious reoccurring presence felt on the field and in the weight room every day."
 
Aries and O'Brien nominated the award winners for their determination to improve in athletics while maintaining academic prominence, serving as a great model for all student-athletes at JU.
 
"We are proud to have Coach Aries and Coach O'Brien join the NSCA in its mission to safely improve athletic performance," says Eric McMahon, NSCA's Coaching and Sport Science Program Manager, "Supporting our student-athletes like Shaylee Befus and Jeremy Winston guarantees a stronger future for the NSCA."
 
To see an updated list of the All-American Athletes of the Year award, visit www.nsca.com/All-American.

Media Note: For additional information about the NSCA All-American Athlete of the Year visit www.nsca.com.
 
About the National Strength & Conditioning Association
Founded in 1978, The National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA) is a nonprofit association dedicated to advancing the strength and conditioning and related sport science professions around the world.

The NSCA exists to empower a community of professionals to maximize their impact through disseminating evidence- based knowledge and its practical application by offering industry-leading certifications, research journals, career development services, networking opportunities, and continuing education. The NSCA community is composed of more than 60,000 members and certified professionals throughout the world who further industry standards as researchers, educators, strength and conditioning coaches, performance and sport scientists, personal trainers, tactical professionals, and other related roles.