Fr. Wilfred Theisen Award

COLLEGEVILLE, Minn. – Saint John's University rising senior Lloyd Young (Bloomington, Minn./Kennedy) was named the recipient of the 2023 Fr. Wilfred Theisen Student-Athlete of the Year Award, sponsored by the J-Club, on Wednesday, Aug. 2. 

The award recognizes an SJU varsity, senior student-athlete (or two) who has excelled in the classroom and in their sport.

A 2022 All-American (40th place) in cross country, Young is a two-time, Division III national meet entrant and All-Region honoree in cross country, and an eight-time All-MIAC performer (twice in cross country and three each indoors and outdoors). In 2022-23, Young finished fourth at the MIAC Cross Country Championship, placed third in the 3,000 meters at the MIAC Indoor Championships and was All-MIAC in two events outdoors: second in the 5,000 meters and third in the 1,500 meters. 

Young is an accounting major with a 3.93 GPA and is expected to graduate this December. He ended his track career second in SJU history in the 10,000 meters (30:24.02), the indoor 3,000 meters (8:23.14) and indoor 5,000 meters (14:35.72), and is fourth in the indoor mile (4:13.79). 

He was named to the College Sports Communicators (CSC) Academic All-America cross country/track and field third team in June, is a three-time U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) All-Academic honoree and a six-time Academic All-MIAC honoree (three in cross country and third in track).

Young is a current member of the Minnesota Air National Guard, serving as an Air Transportation Apprentice in the 133rd Airlift Wing based out of the Twin Cities. He enlisted in the summer of 2019 (summer before his freshman year at SJU) and his role in logistics involves transporting cargo and troops with an airlift system. Young's monthly drill requirement for the National Guard requires him to miss a weekend of practice (or a meet). He has been deployed twice during his time at SJU - during the Minneapolis riots and for President Joe Biden's inauguration.

Theisen '52 taught physics at SJU for 47 years and was named professor emeritus upon his retirement in 2005. He is a former SJU faculty representative to the MIAC and continues as treasurer of the J-Club. He received the J-Club Distinguished Service Award in 2019, six years after the Student-Athlete of the Year Award was established in his honor.

SJU varsity coaches provide the award's nominations for the Fr. Wilfred Theisen Award and the J-Club Board makes the selection annually.

Founded in 1959, the J-Club is a dues-based booster organization of former Johnnie student-athletes, parents and fans, and plays a key role in support of the SJU varsity programs, intramurals and club sports. 

Past Fr. Wilfred Theisen Student-Athlete of the Year Award Recipients
2013 - Dennis Granath '13 (Golf)
2014 - Michael Coborn '14 (Soccer)
2015 - J.T. Ford '15 (Football)
2016 - Alex Niederloh '16 (Soccer)/Sam Sura '16 (Football)
2017 - Mack Farley '17 (Golf)/Carter Hanson '17 (Football)
2018 - Sam Olson '18 (Golf)
2019 - Will Gillach '19 (Football)/David Stokman '18 (Basketball)
2020 - Ben Bartch '20 (Football)
2021 - Tanner Dufault '21 (Hockey)/Brady( Labine '21 (Track)
2022 - Maguire Petersen '22 (Track & Field)
2023 - Lloyd Young '23 (Cross Country/Track & Field)