ST. PAUL, Minn. - The St. Catherine University athletic department selected the first Fleur-de-lis award recipients of 2026. This selection includes two individuals for athletic performance from hockey and two others for scholarship.

Introduced in the fall of 2017, the Fleur-de-lis award is an honor given to student-athletes who embody the three components of the Wildcat athletic department; sport, scholarship, and service. The fleur-de-lis is a visual representation of the athletic department's mission. The three petals of the fleur-de-lis represent the tenants of our mission:  Scholarship, Athleticism, and Service.  The band holding the three pedals together represents leadership and perseverance.  Excellence in any of these areas is recognized by the department through this award. 
The Fleur-de-lis award honors Wildcat student-athletes who have exemplified the department's mission on the field, the classroom, and through community service. The fleur-de-lis, or "flower of the lily" in English, is a symbol used by the University and Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet and is proudly incorporated into the St. Catherine shield as a representation of the Sister's French heritage and the seed from which their good works grow.

Michelle Smith, So., Hockey | Athletics
Redwood Falls, Minn. / Redwood Valley
Sophomore forward, Michelle Smith earned her first Fleur-de-lis Award in her time at St. Kate's following a two goal and four assist week. Smith tallied an assist against the No. 1 ranked Falcons from River Falls before closing out the week with two goals and three assists against Lawrence. She is currently ranked third on the team in points with seven this season.

Ana Myers, So., Hockey / Athletics
Lino Lakes, Minn. / Gentry Academy
Sophomore Ana Myers earns her first Fleur-de-lis Award of her sophomore season and fourth overall after an outstanding performance in the Wildcats three game week. Myers recorded a five-goal game, including a hat trick in the opening frame, against Lawrence lifting St. Kate's to a 7-2 win. In game two against the Vikings, Myers contributed an assist claiming 22 of her 26 draws. Myers leads the MIAC in goals with thirteen total while leading Division III for the most goals scored in a single game this season.
 
Kristen Oberle, Sr., Basketball / Scholarship
Glen Flora, Wis. / Main Creek
Senior basketball student-athlete, Kristen Oberle earns her first career Fleur-de-lis Award for scholarship. Oberle, along with four others from St. Catherine, was awarded the prestigious NASA Minnesota Space Grant through the Minnesota Space Grant Consortium (MnSGC). The MnSGC is part of the NASA-funded National Space Grant College and Fellowship Program established by Congress in 1988. Nationally, Space Grant is a network of 52 university-based statewide consortia, including all 50 states plus the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico, with nearly 1000 mostly higher-education affiliate institutions delivering programming nationwide. Space Grant provides support for higher education students majoring in STEM fields, NASA-themed higher education offerings plus research opportunities for faculty and students, NASA-themed professional development for pre-college in-service and pre-service teachers, and informal education activities related to aerospace science. Oberle was awarded a scholarship based on scholastic achievement, valued at $1,200, to be used in her pursuit of a STEM-related career.
 
Lillia Gray, So., Soccer / Scholarship
River Falls, Wis. / River Falls
Sophomore soccer student-athlete, Lilla Gray earns her first career Fleur-de-lis Award for scholarship. Gray, along with four others from St. Catherine, was awarded the prestigious NASA Minnesota Space Grant through the Minnesota Space Grant Consortium (MnSGC). The MnSGC is part of the NASA-funded National Space Grant College and Fellowship Program established by Congress in 1988. Nationally, Space Grant is a network of 52 university-based statewide consortia, including all 50 states plus the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico, with nearly 1000 mostly higher-education affiliate institutions delivering programming nationwide. Space Grant provides support for higher education students majoring in STEM fields, NASA-themed higher education offerings plus research opportunities for faculty and students, NASA-themed professional development for pre-college in-service and pre-service teachers, and informal education activities related to aerospace science. Gray was awarded a scholarship based on scholastic achievement, valued at $1,200, to be used in her pursuit of a STEM-related career.