Senior Abbie Squier and athletic trainer Crystal Kjar represented Southwest by receiving awards from the Girls and Women in Sports and Fitness committee. 

Squier was nominated and chosen to be the Star City Sports 2020 Youth Athlete of the Year due to her outstanding performance in both athletics and the community.

“They want to recognize who they think is a young female leader in our community,” Squier said. “It was super special to know that not only did the people from Southwest recognize me, but the people at the Girls and Women in Sports and Fitness committee thought I was eligible to be nominated and win. I hope I can keep representing women well and be a leader in our community.” 

Coach Mark Watt was among the coaches and individuals in the athletic department to nominate Squier for the award. 

“I was thrilled when she won,” Watt said. “As a sophomore, she was one of the younger players, but by this year she’s a mature kid that others look to. When we’re in team huddles, she’s the one that will speak up and say the right thing. The relationship she builds with other kids is something special.”

Squier plans to continue her softball career next year for the University of Nebraska Lincoln.

Kjar received the Anne Campbell Pioneer Award due to her work with the concussion management team processes at Southwest and throughout the Lincoln community. 

“The Pioneer Award is awarded to those who are one of the first to implement something that benefits those in sports/fitness,” Kjar said. “When we started concussion management, it was new and there wasn’t much research, but we put something together and had some success. I’m always looking to make our process better and continue to advocate for our profession and for our athletes.”

Squier and Kjar were invited to the Girls and Women in Sports and Fitness Banquet on Wednesday, Feb. 5, where both were presented with their awards.