By: Rob Anderson

OMAHA, Neb. — Creighton men’s basketball was named Team of the Year and men’s soccer standout Duncan McGuire was honored as the Male Amateur Athlete of the Year by the Omaha Sports Commission last night. Both were recognized with OSCAS (Omaha Sports Commission Award Show) during the fifth annual award ceremony, which was held at the Relevant Center in Elkhorn.

McGuire helped Creighton to its first College Cup since 2012. Also named BIG EAST Offensive Player of the Year, McGuire led the nation in goals, goals per game, points and points per game. McGuire was recognized with the MAC Hermann Trophy, given to the nation’s top collegiate soccer player. The sixth pick in the MLS Super Draft, he currently plays for the Orlando City SC. Head coach Johnny Torres was on hand to accept the award on McGuire’s behalf.

The men’s basketball team reached the Elite Eight and tied a school-record with six wins over top-25 competition while finishing 24-13 and reaching as high as No. 7 in the Associated Press poll. The Bluejays reached the final of the Maui Jim Maui Invitational, defeated eventual national champion Connecticut, and had all five starters average more than 11.5 points per game. Director of Basketball Operations Jeff Vanderloo accepted the OSCAS trophy on behalf of the program.

Other award winners honored by the Omaha Sports Commission were gymnast Lexi Zeiss with Female Amateur Athlete of the Year honors, Katie Tarman (Papillion-La Vista South) earned the female coach of the year for the second straight year, Bellevue West basketball coach Doug Woodard brought home the Male Coach of the Year honor and Tom Shatel (Omaha World-Herald) was named the Steve Pivovar Sports Media Person of the Year. A field goal by Omaha Westside’s Tristan Alvano to win the Class A Football state title was honored as the Moment of the Year.

The OSCAS also recognized Lisa Roskens as the Dr. Jack Lewis Sports Person of the Year, as well as the induction of the 2023 Omaha Sports Hall of Fame class of Curlee Alexander, Gina Mancuso, Tony Veland, the 1993 Omaha Racers Basketball Team and the 1972-1978 Kansas City-Omaha Kings Basketball Teams.

Creighton has now won eight OSCAS in the five-year history of the event. Jaali Winters (2019) and Jaylyn Agnew (2020) have been named Female Amateur Athlete of the Year, Duncan McGuire has been named Male Amateur Athlete of the Year, Greg McDermott (2020) and Jim Flanery (2022) have won Male Coach of the Year, and Men’s Basketball (2020 and 2023) and Women’s Basketball (2022) have each been recognized as Team of the Year.