Jackson, Mich. - The Crossroads League announced on Thursday, July 17th, that Marian University's own Christian Rios of the men's track and field program has been named the 2024-25 Crossroads League Male Athlete of the Year. Rios, who graduated from Marian this spring, is the program's second recipient of the league's Male Athlete of the Year honor, joining former teammate Isaiah Tipping.

"I am extremely humbled and honored to receive this award as the Crossroads League Male Athlete of the Year," said Rios. "I am extremely thankful for everyone in my corner who has helped build me into the man and athlete I am today, and I would not be in the position that I am. Not many people can say they received many awards in a career, but through heartbreak in the sport and the coaches, teammates, family, and friends to pick me back up, I am capable and humbled for this opportunity to receive this award. I want the future of Marian track and field to be able to continue the legacy that this program I have been a part of has brought. With the lord by my side to humble me, I say it was truly a great pleasure, and thank you, Marian, carry over for the lessons I have learned that I will carryover with me in the next chapter. To that I say, Go Knights!"

Christian Rios had one of the most dominant track and field careers at Marian alongside his former teammate Isaiah Tipping. Rios ended his senior year helping the Knights to the program's first-ever NAIA Indoor National Championship, two Crossroads League Championships for indoor and outdoor season, and a fourth-place during the 2025 NAIA Outdoor National Championship.

During the indoor season, Rios set lifetime-bests in shot put and weight throw, winning three Crossroads League Athlete of the Week honors, and ended the season as the National Champion in the weight throw with a new PR mark of 20.34m. Rios was the conference champion in both the weight throw and shot put with a new PR of 17.08m. Rios' role in the 2025 NAIA Indoor National Championships helped Marian's men to a team National Championship for the first time in program history. The senior was not only named as the USTFCCCA Indoor Great Lakes Region Male Athlete of the year, but also the Crossroads League Most Outstanding Field Athlete of the Meet.

"I am incredibly proud of Christian Rios for being named the Crossroads League Male Athlete of the Year," said Director of Track and Field Katie Wise. "Christian is the true embodiment of excellence, not only in the throwing ring but as a teammate and leader within our program. As a two-time NAIA national champion and multiple-time All-American, his work ethic, humility, and character have made a lasting impact on Marian Track & Field and the Crossroads League. Christian represents everything we value in a Knight—determination, integrity, and the drive to lead by example."

In his final outdoor season, Christian continued his outstanding run, winning three Crossroads League Field Athlete of the Week honors before winning the shot put, discus, and hammer throw at the Crossroads League Championships. Rios earned NAIA Field Athlete of the Week honors on April 16th after the Fast Break Invite, and ended the season as an All-American in all three events at the NAIA Outdoor National Championships. The senior was named both the USTFCCCA Outdoor Great Lakes Region Male Athlete of the Year and the USTFCCCA Male Field Athlete of the Year. He was also named the Crossroads League MVP of the Meet at the outdoor championship. 

"Christian epitomizes what you expect from a student athlete, here at Marian University," said Associate Head Coach for Track and Field Nathan Dyer. "Whether it be in the classroom or on the field I never had to question his accountability, as he held himself to the highest standard. Over the years, he has taken every challenge that has come his way and turned it into a way to grow and be better. I could not be more proud of him for receiving this award and also honored to have coached back to back award recipients."

In total, Rios earned 16 All-Crossroads League honors, nine NAIA All-American honors, and was a two-time NAIA National Champion. The graduating Knight earned a total of five All-CL honors, four NAIA All-American honors, and an NAIA Weight Throw Championship in his senior season. 

The Crossroads League Male Student-Athlete of the Year award is nominated and voted on by the 10 Athletic Directors from the Crossroads League and announced each summer.

Crossroads League Male Student-Athlete of the Year Recipients
2024-2025 – Christian Rios, Marian (track and field)
2023-2024 – Isaiah Tipping, Marian (track and field)
2022-2023 – Tim Noeding, Bethel (soccer)
2021-2022 – Steve Ott, Indiana Wesleyan (cross country/track and field)
2020-2021 – Kyle Mangas, Indiana Wesleyan (basketball)
2019-2020 – Kyle Mangas, Indiana Wesleyan (basketball)
2018-2019 – Kyle Mangas, Indiana Wesleyan (basketball)
2017-2018 – Erik Escobedo, Bethel (track and field)
2016-2017 – Lane Mahurin, Indiana Wesleyan (basketball)
2015-2016 – Austin Fox, Saint Francis (basketball)
2014-2015 – Matt Schauss, Bethel (basketball)
2013-2014 – Riley Swanson, Mount Vernon Nazarene (baseball)
2012-2013 – Brady Klotz, Bethel (golf)
2011-2012 – Caleb Kennedy, Huntington (basketball)

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