BOWLING GREEN, Ky. -- Lindsey Wilson (Ky.) swimming student-athlete Maaike Broersma has been named the 2024-25 Mid-South Conference Female Student-Athlete of the Year, MSC officials announced on Tuesday.
The Mid-South Conference Female Student-Athlete of the Year award is presented to a graduating student-athlete and selected based on academic and athletic performances, leadership qualities, and their demonstration of the five core character values of the NAIA. Pinnacle Financial Partners sponsors the Mid-South Conference Student-Athletes of the Year award.
Broersma is an eight-time NAIA National Champion and a 25-time NAIA All-American. She has been named the NAIA Women's Swimmer of the Year each of the last two seasons. Broersma earned NAIA Scholar-Athlete honors -- reserved for student-athletes with at least a 3.5 grade point average -- four times over her career.
"I feel incredibly honored to receive the Student-Athlete of the Year Award," Broersma said. "The combination of athletics and academics has been such a great fit for me. In the Netherlands, it is extremely hard to combine sports at a competitive level with your studies, which is why I’m so grateful to have had this experience at Lindsey Wilson.
"Being able to challenge myself in the pool has given me space to clear my head and feel refreshed for the next study session," Broersma added. "It has taught me discipline, and it showed me the joy it can bring to work hard for something you really want in life."
Broersma won three individual national championships (50-Yard Freestyle, 100-Yard Backstroke, and 200-Yard Backstroke) and was part of a relay title (200-Yard Freestyle Relay) at the 2025 NAIA National Championships. She helped the Blue Raiders to a program-best third-place finish at the championships.
"Maaike is the epitome of what it means to be a student-athlete," Lindsey Wilson swimming coach Alicia Kemnitz said. "Her many swimming and academic accolades certainly speak for themselves and demonstrate the level of dedication and talent she exudes both in the pool and in the classroom."
"Maaike is arguably the most decorated student-athlete in Lindsey Wilson's athletics history," Lindsey Wilson athletics director Willis Pooler said. "In addition to her numerous athletic and academic accolades, Maaike can positively impact those around her. Her teammates and peers love her, and she leads with action, enthusiasm, and passion."
On the conference level, Broersma earned All Mid-South Conference honors 28 times. She is a two-time MSC Women's Swimmer of the Year and a 12-time MSC Women's Swimmer of the Week 12 times over her career.
"I’m grateful to be part of a team with such a great atmosphere," Broersma said. "The coaching staff and team members worked hard on creating an environment where we push each other, cheer each other on, and, not to forget, have a lot of fun together. They have done so much to help me grow as both an athlete and a person."