Jesse Keltner wins Frontier Conference Defensive Player of the Year

The 2023 Frontier Conference men’s and women’s basketball season has come to an end, and with it, the league announced its annual awards and All-Conference Team.

On the men’s side, MSUN’s Jesse Keltner was selected as the 2022-23 Defensive Player of the Year. Keltner, who was also a First-Team All-Conference selection, averaged 15 points and nine rebounds, while leading the Frontier in field goal percentage and blocked shots.

MSU-N also saw senior C.J. Nelson named Second-Team All-Conference, Dae’Kwon Watson was Honorable Mention, and also named Frontier Freshman of the Year and Sixth-Man of the Year.

Nelson and Keltner also made the Frontier’s All Defensive Team, while Terry Holmes Jr. was given an NAIA Champions of Character award.

On the women’s side, Montana State University-Northern’s Briaunna McCullough was named Honorable Mention All-Conference. McCullough led the Skylights in scoring and was second in rebounding this past season. MSU-N’s Shyan Krass was named Co-Sixth-Player of the Year. Northern’s Rachel Van Blaricom was named to the All Defensive Team as well for the Skylights, while Abigail Keltner was honored with an NAIA Champions of Character award.

Montana Tech’s Adam Hiatt was selected as the 2022-2023 Men’s Coach of the Year. Montana Tech junior forward Caleb Bellach was selected as the league’s Player of the Year.

Carroll College’s Rachelle Sayers was selected Coach of the Year. Montana Western senior guard Brynley Fitzgerald and Carroll senior forward Jamie Pickens share the Player of the Year award. Rocky sophomore guard Gracee Lekvold was selected Defensive Player of the Year.

Montana Western junior Jordan Sweeney was selected Newcomer of the Year. Montana Western forward Emily Cooley was selected Freshman of the Year, and Rocky sophomore forward Morgan Baird and Krass were named Co-sixth Players of the Year.

Frontier Men's All-Conference

First Team

Andrew Cook, So., Carroll College

Brendan Temple, Sr. Carroll College

Jesse Keltner, Sr., MSU-Northern

Caleb Bellach, Jr., Montana Tech

Kael Robinson, So., Rocky Mountain

Maxim Stephens, Jr., Rocky Mountain College

Marcus Stephens, Sr., Providence

Second Team

C.J. Nelsonn, Sr., MSU-Northern

Asa Williams, Jr., Montana Tech

Jamal Stephenson, Sr., Western

Davien Harris-Williiams, Jr., Providence

Honorable Mention

Dae'Kwon Watson, Fr., MSU-Northern

Michael Ure, So., Montana Tech

Ky Kouba, So., Western

Frontier Women's All-Conference

First Team

Jamie Pickens, Carroll College

Tavia Rooney, Jr., Montana Tech

Brynley Fitzgerald, Sr., Western

Jordan Sweeney Jr., Western

Kloie Thatcher, Sr., Montana Tech

Maddy Dixon, Sr., Providence

Second Team

Kamden Hillborn, Sr., Carroll College

Kyndall Keller, Jr., Carroll College

Sienna Swannack, Sr., Carroll College

Gracee Lekvold, So., Rocky Mountain

Reed Hazard, Gr., Providence

Honorable Mention

Briaunna McCullough, Jr., MSU-Northern

Dani Urick, Sr., Montana Tech

Mesa King, Sr., Montana Western