Staff photo by Travis Rosenau From left: Wabasso’s Cooper Taylor (football, Co-Offensive Player of the Year), Wabasso’s Maddy Guetter (Volleyball Player of The Year) and BOLD’s Hayden Tersteeg (Defensive Player of the Year). Not pictured was Co-Offensive Player of the Year Carter Kopet of Cleveland.

NEW ULM — KNUJ honored four athletes on Tuesday night with 2017 Player of the Year awards.

Maddy Guetter, Carter Kopet, Cooper Taylor and Hayden Tersteeg were the athletes that received Player of the Year honors.

For volleyball, Wabasso’s Guetter took home the Player of the Year trophy after an impressive Tomahawk Conference Player of the Year season.

Guetter had 483 kills, 339 digs, 34 blocks and 36 aces for the Rabbits this year and the junior still has her senior year ahead of her to add on to her already impressive accomplishments.

After Guetter received her award, Martin Luther College’s Director of Athletics Jim Unke was the guest speaker for the night and talked about the 53rd Annual KNUJ Player of the Year Banquet being a night for reflection.

Unke then also spoke on the importance of looking ahead. He urged the seniors in attendance to plan ahead and be ready for what they want to do next and told the juniors to work on themselves and come back ready to play at an ever higher level during their senior year.

KNUJ’s Offensive Player of the Year for football was given to two athletes. The co-winners were Carter Kopet of Cleveland and Cooper Taylor of Wabasso.

Kopet threw for 3,160 yards and 55 touchdowns on the year, while completing 66 percent of his passes. He also had 512 rushing yards and five touchdowns on the ground.

Cooper Taylor currently has 1,940 rushing yards, 34 touchdowns and 18 catches for 230 yards and a score. Taylor’s Wabasso squad plays at 9 a.m. Saturday at US Bank stadium in the state semi-finals and Taylor will have a chance to add on to what has already been a phenomenal year.

The Defensive Player of the Year award went to BOLD’s Hayden Tersteeg. The linebacker had 33 solo tackles, 62 assists, two interceptions and a sack.