Leon Costello with Taylee Chirrick (middle) and Justine Lamontagne
Photo by: Brian Morse
MSU Athletics Hands Out End-of-Year Awards at Golden Bobcats
4/29/2026 8:27:00 PM | General
Student-athletes celebrated at event
BOZEMAN, Mont. (April 29, 2026) – On a night to celebrate Montana State student-athletes, the Golden Bobcat Award honored 17 standout individuals and three teams for their performance in competition, in the classroom and in the community.
"This night is about far more than awards—it's about celebrating the standard our student-athletes set every day in competition, in the classroom and in our community," said MSU Director of Athletics Leon Costello. "The individuals and teams recognized tonight represent the very best of Montana State, and their commitment to excellence, leadership and service continues to elevate our entire department and make Bobcat Nation proud."
Football juniors Justin Lamson and Taco Dowler, who teamed up to author some of the most impactful moments in Bobcats history last season, earned the Travis Lulay Bobcat of the Year Award for male athletes, while national champion skier Justin Lamontagne and record-setting basketball player earned Tennyson Ballek Bobcat of the Year Award for women. The women's golf and women's cross country teams earned top academic honors, while the spirit squad racked up the most community service hours.
The full list of awards is below…
ACADEMIC/COMMUNITY SERVICE AWARDS
Academic Excellence Award: Lauren Lindseth, Volleyball (sr., Great Falls); Harley Brittenham, Spirit Squad (sr., Parker, Colo.)
Academic Achievement Award: Titan Fleischmann, Football (jr., Pocatello, Idaho); Millie Hubbell, Track and Field (sr., Littleton, Colo.)
Top Academic Team: Women's Golf, Women's Cross Country
Top Community Service Award – Individual: Taylee Chirrick, Women's Basketball
Top Community Service Award – Team: Spirit Squad
LEGACY AWARDS
Nico Harrison Bobcat Spirit Award (Men): Paul Brott, Football (sr., Billings); Cole Detton, Rodeo (sr., Great Falls); Caden Dowler, Football (jr., Billings); Jed Miller, Basketball (sr., Agoura Hills, Calif.)
Dr. Ginny Hunt Bobcat Spirit Award (Women): Sydney Brewster, Track and Field (jr., Sandy, Ore.); Hailey Coey (sr., Billings); Lauren Lindseth (sr., Great Falls); Dylan Philip (jr., Ellensburg, Wash.)
Travis Lulay Bobcat of the Year Award (Men): Taco Dowler, Football (jr., Billings); Justin Lamson, Football (jr., El Dorado Hills, Calif.)
Tennyson Ballek Bobcat of the Year (Women): Taylee Chirrick, Basketball (so., Roberts); Justine Lamontagne (sr., Saint-Ferreol-les-Neiges, Quebec)
#GoCatsGo
"This night is about far more than awards—it's about celebrating the standard our student-athletes set every day in competition, in the classroom and in our community," said MSU Director of Athletics Leon Costello. "The individuals and teams recognized tonight represent the very best of Montana State, and their commitment to excellence, leadership and service continues to elevate our entire department and make Bobcat Nation proud."
Football juniors Justin Lamson and Taco Dowler, who teamed up to author some of the most impactful moments in Bobcats history last season, earned the Travis Lulay Bobcat of the Year Award for male athletes, while national champion skier Justin Lamontagne and record-setting basketball player earned Tennyson Ballek Bobcat of the Year Award for women. The women's golf and women's cross country teams earned top academic honors, while the spirit squad racked up the most community service hours.
The full list of awards is below…
ACADEMIC/COMMUNITY SERVICE AWARDS
Academic Excellence Award: Lauren Lindseth, Volleyball (sr., Great Falls); Harley Brittenham, Spirit Squad (sr., Parker, Colo.)
Academic Achievement Award: Titan Fleischmann, Football (jr., Pocatello, Idaho); Millie Hubbell, Track and Field (sr., Littleton, Colo.)
Top Academic Team: Women's Golf, Women's Cross Country
Top Community Service Award – Individual: Taylee Chirrick, Women's Basketball
Top Community Service Award – Team: Spirit Squad
LEGACY AWARDS
Nico Harrison Bobcat Spirit Award (Men): Paul Brott, Football (sr., Billings); Cole Detton, Rodeo (sr., Great Falls); Caden Dowler, Football (jr., Billings); Jed Miller, Basketball (sr., Agoura Hills, Calif.)
Dr. Ginny Hunt Bobcat Spirit Award (Women): Sydney Brewster, Track and Field (jr., Sandy, Ore.); Hailey Coey (sr., Billings); Lauren Lindseth (sr., Great Falls); Dylan Philip (jr., Ellensburg, Wash.)
Travis Lulay Bobcat of the Year Award (Men): Taco Dowler, Football (jr., Billings); Justin Lamson, Football (jr., El Dorado Hills, Calif.)
Tennyson Ballek Bobcat of the Year (Women): Taylee Chirrick, Basketball (so., Roberts); Justine Lamontagne (sr., Saint-Ferreol-les-Neiges, Quebec)
#GoCatsGo
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