Linfield University athletic department honors one male and one female student-athlete with the annual Vern Marshall Award, given to student-athletes who exemplify the most tenacity on their respective teams. Women's basketball's senior Miki Vermeulen and baseball's senior Nick Holm were voted upon by department administration and head coaches as the 2025-26 honorees.
 
Senior from Renton, Washington, Miki Vermeulen was named Second Team All-Northwest Conference as well as the NWC's Defensive Player of the Year after a strong senior season. Off the court, Vermeulen served on Linfield's Student-Athlete Advisory Committee Executive team, recently graduating with a double major in data science and economics and a minor in sports management. 
 
The daughter of Tiffany and Dave Vermeulen, Miki was a standout student, earning College Sports Communicators Academic All-District honors in all three years eligible. The honor is given to student-athletes of sophomore standing or older who maintain a 3.50+ grade point average while competing in 90%+ of a team's games. 
 
Head coach Casey Bunn-Wilson calls Vermeulen: "… our team's motor, heart and glue. The most tenacious player I have seen come through Linfield women's basketball. She prides herself on defense and rebounding; gritty and relentless."
 
Senior infielder Nick Holm graduated with his degree in finance this Spring, battling through injury all-season long to help lead the Wildcat's baseball team to the Northwest Conference Tournament title game. The senior from Happy Valley, Oregon, was a staple at first base in 2026, appearing in 41 games, making 37 starts. He his .255 with four homers and 20 RBIs. 
 
The son of Nichol and Lance Holm, Nick was a Second Team All-NWC honor in 2025, and served as a team captain for the Wildcats in his senior campaign. This season, Holm suffered a severe shoulder injury in the Fall, electing to bypass surgery and rehab his way through his final season on the diamond. First-year head coach Jordan Harlow described Holm: "He defined timelines and was able to get back on the field way ahead of schedule due to his perseverance and determination."
 
Both Holm and Vermeulen's careers came to an end in the 2025-26 academic year, battling through setbacks via injury to fight their way back into their respective arenas. The two Wildcats graduated last Sunday. 
 
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