As the end of the school year is rapidly approaching, DU’s student-athletes have another season under their belts. It was a memorable year for Denver athletics, with much for students and community members to celebrate. For the third consecutive year, it’s time to recognize the best of what Denver’s 17 varsity programs had to offer this past year.

 

Best Male Athlete: Bobby Brink, hockey

Though he jumped ship to sign a contract with the Philadelphia Flyers after playing an integral role in DU hockey’s ninth national championship victory in April, the Hobey Baker finalist and NCHC Player and Forward of the Year paved the way for the historic championship run. Brink posted a team and career-high 57 points and 43 assists, including 48 points in the last 33 games of the season. He also had 14 goals and was first in the country in points per game, averaging 1.39. One of just two players nationwide to reach 50 points this season, Brink also made a statement in the classroom, being named to the NCHC Academic All-Conference Team, and was recognized as an NCHC Distinguished Scholar Athlete for the third consecutive year. Though his days donning crimson and gold are in the rearview mirror, Brink will forever give DU fans something to be proud of as he embarks on his career in the NHL.

Honorable Mention: Jack Hannah, men’s lacrosse

 

Best Female Athlete: Jessica Hutchinson, gymnastics

Denver gymnastics had another stellar season this year, finishing just shy of qualifying for the NCAA National Championship as a team. No individual made a more significant contribution to the team’s prowess than Hutchinson, who was named the Big 12 Gymnast of the Year in March, after earning Big 12 Gymnast of the Week honors for three consecutive weeks from February 14-28. In addition, she had the top score in the Big 12 Conference every week since her all-around season debut on February 6. She captured a total of 15 first-place finishes this season and set or tied career highs of 39.625 in the all-around and 9.950 on both beam and floor.

Honorable Mentions: Bea Behrins, women’s lacrosse; Uju Ezeudu, women’s basketball

 

Best Coach: David Carle, hockey

With DU’s national championship win, Carle became the youngest head coach to win a national championship since 1963 and the fourth-youngest ever. Under his leadership, the team put up a 31-9-1 record and only lost one of 19 home games. Carle was also one of eight finalists for the 2021-22 Spencer Penrose Award, which is given annually to the American Hockey Coaches Association Men’s Hockey Division I Coach of the Year.

Honorable Mention: Melissa Kutcher-Rinehart, gymnastics

 

Newcomer of the Year: Jeff Wulbrun, men’s basketball

Yes, Wulbrun is a coach and not a player, but the immediate impact and improvement he made in his first season with the team should not go unnoticed. Known for his recruiting expertise, Wulbrun used his network from previous programs like Stanford and Alabama-Birmingham to revamp both the coaching and playing rosters. Under Wulbrun’s guidance, DU was a much more competitive team, resulting in multiple sweeps of a Summit League opponent for the first time since 2017-18. The team had nine more victories than the previous season, tying the record since Denver became a Division I program in 1998. Wulbrun also led the Crimson and Gold to seven Summit League wins, matching the total of the three previous seasons combined. Under his leadership. the team was productive on the road, picking up four road wins in his inaugural year with DU, matching the total of the previous four years combined.

Honorable Mention: Lauren Black, women’s lacrosse

 

Best team overall: Hockey

It’s hard to dispute the national champions, nor is much explanation needed. This year’s squad played with extra grit and determination after missing the NCAA Tournament last season despite making four of the previous six. Expectations of the team have never been higher, as DU will eye their tenth national championship, which would be the most of any Division I program of all time when next season kicks off in October.

Honorable Mentions: Gymnastics, women’s lacrosse