Grand Rapids, Mich. – The Wolverine-Hoosier Athletic Conference announced its 2024 men's lacrosse awards this Wednesday (Apr. 24). Aquinas had several representatives named to all-conference teams as Cooper Nienhuis, Jack Rioux, and Jack Lustig were all named Second-Team All-WHAC. Nienhuis was also named the 2024 WHAC Newcomer of the Year after his breakout freshman campaign.

Nienhuis led the team this season with 62 points and 53 goals. The freshman from Holland led the WHAC in goals and was sixth with his 62 total points. At one point this season, Nienhuis was averaging nearly five goals per game, leading the entire NAIA.

The 2024 Newcomer of the Year scored the game-winning goal in five of AQ's 11 wins while grabbing 44 ground balls and causing 12 turnovers.

Rioux was AQ's lone midfielder named to the all-conference team. Rioux was a constant presence in the midfield throughout the season, making a lot of the little plays that don't appear on the stat sheet. The senior had three goals, four assists, 21 ground balls, and seven caused turnovers.

Aquinas' final member of the Second Team All-Conference was the Saints' premier defender this season. Lustig had 18 ground balls and forced a team-high 13 turnovers, playing in all 14 games and starting in 13. His best game on the scoresheet came against Benedictine when he had four ground balls and forced two turnovers.

Aquinas had nine athletes named to the WHAC All-Academic team in 2024. To qualify for the All-Academic team, the athlete must possess a 3.25 cumulative GPA, be at least a sophomore in academic standing, and have been at Aquinas for at least one academic year. AQ's all-academic honorees are: Joseph Bretz, Reed Chastain, Jacob Halaas, Oliver Modderman, Louis Nageotte, Rioux, Tim Shacklette, Noah Szarejko, and Brady Waling.

Ty Pappas was named as AQ's representative on the Champions of Character team. This athlete is identified by his respective coach as the player who best represents the five core character values of integrity, respect, responsibility, sportsmanship, and servant leadership.