Kroepel a finalist for Olerud Two-Way Player of the Year Award

Utah Tech junior Ryan Kroepel has been named as one of five national finalists for the 2026 John Olerud Two-Way Player of the Year Award.

Joining Kroepel on the John Olerud Award national finalist list is Fairleigh Dickinson 1B/RHP Jeremy Cheeseman; Florida Gulf Coast OF/RHP Evan Dempsey; Mercer INF/RHP Braydon Kersey; and Campbell OF/RHP Jett Music.

The John Olerud Two-Way Player of the Year Award is presented annually to the best dual role player in the nation. The award is named after former Washington State University standout John Olerud, who achieved success both as a first baseman and left-handed pitcher during the late 1980s. He was inducted into the National College Baseball Hall of Fame in 2007.
 
Kroepel finished the 2026 season ranked in the WAC's top-20 in six offensive categories, which includes a Utah Tech single-season record 51 free passes. Kroepel started in all 59 games, with 53 of those starts coming at third base. The junior batted .312 overall, .358 in conference play, and finished the year ranked second in the WAC in HBPs (17 – school record), fifth in on-base percentage (.469), t-sixth in runs scored (56), t-14th in RBI (47), and t-15th in hits (67). 

On the mound, Kroepel led the WAC with 10 saves and posted a 1-2 record with a 3.82 ERA and a 1.22 WHiP in 19 relief appearances.