Sangamon Sun

Illinois College announced today that Dylan Doss and Jordan Closs have been awarded the William J. Downer and Doris B. Hopper Awards for the 2024-25 athletic year. These awards honor the outstanding male and female student-athletes at Illinois College.

The William J. Downer Award, established in 1967 by Robert "Bob" Edward Downer '64 and James "Jim" Mitchell Downer '66, recognizes the top male athlete at IC. The Doris B. Hopper Award, introduced in 1978 by Dean Doris Broehl Hopper '41, acknowledges the top female athlete and was pivotal in developing women's intercollegiate athletics at the college.

Dylan Doss, a sophomore from Sterling, Ill., excelled in track and field during both indoor and outdoor seasons. He earned first-team All-America honors indoors with a fourth-place finish nationally in the 200 meters and was named All-Region in four events by USTFCCCA. He was also Midwest Conference Indoor Track Athlete of the Year after winning conference titles in three events and setting several records.

In the outdoor season, Doss achieved first-team All-American status with an eighth-place national finish in long jump, while also earning second-team All-American distinction for his performance in the 100 meters. He won multiple conference titles, set school records, and contributed to relay team victories.

Jordan Closs, a junior from Niantic, Ill., made significant contributions to Illinois College's softball team after transferring from the University of St. Francis. She was recognized as first-team All-Region 9 by the National Fastpitch Coaches Association and named Midwest Conference Pitcher and Newcomer of the Year. Closs recorded a scoreless innings streak ranking eighth all-time in NCAA Division III history.

Closs also delivered two perfect games for Lady Blues' softball history while leading her conference in various pitching categories including ERA and strikeouts.