KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The Pittsburg State University men's and women's track & field teams will be jointly honored as the Team of the Year at the 2025 Kansas City Sports Awards Thursday (Aug. 14).

The recognition ceremony, sponsored by the Kansas City Sports Commission and Foundation, will take place at the Muehlebach Tower of the Kansas City Downtown Marriott. The event will start with a 5:30 p.m. reception followed by the dinner and awards program, scheduled for 7 p.m.

"Over this past year, Kansas City has seen extraordinary sporting achievements across the professional, collegiate and amateur levels," said Kathy Nelson, President and CEO of the Kansas City Sports Commission. "This year's honorees showcase the continuous growth of Kansas City sports and the impact they have in our community."

The 2025 honorees include:  Children's Mercy Athlete of the Year, Temwa Chawinga, Kansas City Current; McCownGordon Construction Executive of the Year, J.J. Picollo, Kansas City Royals; Spire Community Champion, Sarah Nauser & Salvador Perez, Kansas City Royals; Polsinelli Team of the Year, Pittsburg State Men's and Women's Track & Field; Burns & McDonnell Coach of the Year, Matt Quatraro, Kansas City Royals; Mobile Legacy Award, Ray Bechard, University of Kansas.

Both Gorillas squads captured national titles at the 2025 NCAA Division II Indoor Track & Field National Championships held at Indianapolis Mar. 13-15. The Pitt State men also claimed the national crown at the 2025 NCAA Division II Outdoor Track & Field National Championships at Pueblo, Colo., May 22-24, while the Pitt State women secured a third-place team finish at outdoor nationals.

The Pitt State men have won seven consecutive national championships between indoor and outdoor track & field:  2022 outdoor; 2023 indoor & outdoor; 2024 indoor & outdoor; 2025 indoor & outdoor. The Pitt State women have recorded eight straight top 10 national finishes since 2022, highlighted by a pair of national championships in the 2025 indoor season and the 2024 outdoor campaign; a national runner-up finish in 2024 indoors; and a third-place team finish at 2025 outdoors.

The Gorillas are led by Director of Cross Country and Track & Field Kyle Rutledge, Associate Head Coach/Meet Director Brian Mantooth, Head Men's & Women's Cross Country Coach Ben Barrows, Assistant Coach Jesse Miller and Assistant Coach Jason Crow.

"This is a tremendous honor for our men and women," Rutledge said. "We cannot thank the Kansas City Sports Commission and Foundation enough for this recognition. This award represents how talented and dedicated a group we had, but also the level at which this coaching staff has brought this program. This coaching staff mentored, taught and guided these men and women to achieve a level of success that many only dream.

"This group of athletes is a special group and we are so blessed to have been a part of their success.  We are forever grateful for these athletes, this coaching staff as well as our administration and our supporters for giving us the resources we need to be at this point."