The 2020-2021 athletic season culminated with another highly successful year for Aurora University Athletics while the programs navigated the Covid-19 pandemic. With the lofty achievements comes the recognition of the athletes that made the success possible, today with the Aurora University Male Athlete of the Year. The award, as voted on by staff members of the AU Athletic Department, will be presented to senior baseball student-athlete
Corey Vondra.
Vondra wrapped up a tremendous 2021 season, receiving national accolades for his on-field performances while securing the top athletic honor bestowed upon a Spartan male student-athlete.
On the 2021 season, Vondra was selected to two All-American teams, Second-Team by the American Baseball Coaches Association (ABCA) and D3baseball.com naming him Honorable Mention. He earned First-Team All-Region recognition from D3baseball.com and the American Baseball Coaches Association and was a Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference First-Team All-Conference selection.
He finished the 2021 campaign with a .410 batting average, eight home runs, six triples, 17 doubles, 65 runs scored and 56 runs batted in while also stealing nine bases. In the NCAA Division III St. Paul Regional, Vondra went 8-for-15 with four home runs (two grand slams), a triple, scoring six runs and had 14 runs batted in over the three games.
The Spartans finished the 2021 season with a 38-8 overall record and made the 23rd appearance overall and third consecutive NCAA Division III Regional appearance. The Spartans earned their place in the 2021 NCAA Division III Championships after winning the 2021 Northern Athletics Conference Conference (NACC) regular season and tournament championship. For AU, the 38 wins ties a program record previously held by the 2000 and 2012 baseball teams.
