Senior linebacker Blake Rybar has been named the 2024-25 Linfield Male Athlete of the Year, the Linfield athletic department announced Tuesday afternoon.
 
Presented annually since 1998, the Athlete of the Year award honors Linfield's top male and female athletes who compete at a high-level and have shown sustained success throughout the season.
 
A management major from Monroe, Washington, Rybar established himself as the heart and soul of the Linfield defense throughout his standout career. As a senior, he delivered a team-leading 81 tackles, including 11.5 tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks, and a fumble recovery. His ability to make plays behind the line of scrimmage was a cornerstone of the Wildcats' success, while his leadership on and off the field helped set the tone for the entire program. Rybar recorded a season-high 12 tackles against Wisconsin-Oshkosh and notched nine or more tackles three times. He finished his senior campaign as one of the most consistent and impactful defenders in the Northwest Conference.
 
Over his four-year career, Rybar played in 43 games and compiled 240 tackles, 38.5 tackles for loss, 13 sacks, and two fumble recoveries. He also earned three straight NWC Defensive Player of the Year awards, becoming the first player in conference history to do so.
 
"Blake lost one conference game in his career and this year again helped our defense be amongst the best in the country in many stats, leading us on a strong playoff run," said head football coach, Joseph Smith. "Blake is among the best to have ever played at Linfield."
 
Rybar is the 14th Linfield football player to win the Male Athlete of the Year award, joining a long list of standout Wildcats who have earned the honor.