On the fast-track to another Norris Trophy, Cale Makar received another distinction on Tuesday for his outstanding performance in 2025. The Colorado Sports Hall of Fame named Makar its Pro Athlete of the Year after the Avalanche star defenseman became only the fourth player in the 21st century to win at least two Norris Trophies.
Makar also finished sixth in voting for the Hart Trophy, awarded to the NHL MVP in the 2024-25 season, while leading the league’s defensemen with 30 goals and 92 points.
In addition to Makar’s selection, the Hall announced honors for five other individuals who will be recognized alongside the six-member Hall of Fame class at the banquet in April.
Regis University catcher Adam Paniagua and CSU Pueblo shot putter Katherine Higgins were named College Athletes of the Year. Legend softball and flag football star Lucy Thompson and Montrose running back Elijah Womack earned the High School Athletes of the Year honors. Additionally, Ri Armstrong received the Athlete with Disabilities Award.
Paniagua had an impressive season, hitting .448 with 27 home runs, 100 RBIs, and a .970 slugging percentage. He led Division II in RBIs and slugging percentage to earn first-team All-American honors and was a key catalyst behind Regis’ program-record 35 victories in 2025.
Higgins won the Division II women’s shot put national title, marking a standout achievement for CSU Pueblo.
Thompson was a two-sport star last fall for Legend High School, helping the Titans to state runner-up finishes in both softball and flag football. The shortstop is committed to Nebraska and led the state with 1,970 receiving yards and 32 touchdowns on the gridiron.
Womack was another dominant force, rushing for 2,157 yards and 33 touchdowns, following a state-best 2,285 rushing yards the previous year. He helped Montrose reach deep playoff runs in both seasons.
Armstrong competed in slalom and giant slalom at the Paralympics in 1980 and 1984 and has been a volunteer for the National Sports Center for the Disabled for 38 years, becoming one of the organization’s most influential instructors.
Last year, the Hall honored a trio of Colorado stars as Pro Athletes of the Year: Nuggets’ Nikola Jokic (2023-24 NBA MVP), Broncos’ Pat Surtain II (2024 NFL Defensive Player of the Year), and Avalanche’s Nathan MacKinnon (2023-24 NHL MVP).
The Colorado Sports Hall of Fame’s 61st annual awards banquet and Hall of Fame induction ceremony will take place on April 16 at the Hilton Denver City Center. Tickets are $250 each, with sponsor tables starting at $3,000.
https://www.denverpost.com/2026/01/06/colorado-sports-hall-of-fame-cale-makar-pro-athlete-of-year/
