DENVER, Colo. – Sportswomen of Colorado (SWOC) has selected Colorado State University Pueblo senior women's track and field and cross country standout
Helen Braybrook (Frieston, United Kingdom/Oakham School) as a special award winners as part of the organization's 52nd Annual Award Celebration, which is scheduled for Sunday, March 8, 2026 at the Hyatt Regency Denver Tech Center.
Braybrook and Colorado School of Mines' Jenna Ramsey-Rutledge were each named as Pacesetters of the Year in the special award category by the Sportswomen of Colorado.
The Pacesetter of the Year honor by the SWOC recognizes outstanding athletic achievement, leadership, and impact during the 2025 calendar year.
Braybrook earns the Pacesetter of the Year honor from the Sportswomen of Colorado after taking home NCAA Division II National Championships during the 2025 indoor track and field season in the 800 meters and the distance medley relay and was the National Runner-up during the 2025 outdoor track and field season in the 800 meters and in early December at the Boston University Sharon Colyear-Danville Season Opener, she broke the NCAA Division II indoor mile record en route to winning the event outright with a record time of 4:30.03.
The United Kingdom native was also named an All-American in both indoor and outdoor track, along with being named the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference Co-Women's Indoor Athlete of the Year after winning the RMAC title in the women's indoor 800 meters in record breaking fashion and also anchoring the RMAC champion women's indoor distance medley relay and the RMAC runner-up in the women's indoor 4-x-400 meter relay team and also claimed the RMAC women's outdoor title in the 1,500 meters.
This past summer, Braybrook broke the CSU Pueblo school record in the women's outdoor 800 meters running for club, Team Corby, at the Loughborough Grand Prix put on by the British Miller's Club.
Some notable recipients at this year's award celebration include women's basketball phenoms, Brihanna Crittendon and Sienna Betts; national champion triple jumper Agur Dwol; business leader Rob Cohen, recognized for his role in bringing professional women's soccer to Denver; masters triathlete and world champion Susan Griffin-Kaklikian; and ultrarunner Anne Flower, who shattered a 30-year old record this past summer when she won the women's Leadville 100. 2025 Sportswomen of Colorado Hall of Fame inductee Caryl Smith Gilbert, who is currently the Director of Men's and Women's Track & Field at the University of Georgia, will be the keynote speaker. Colorado State University alum, KOA Radio Broncos sideline reporter, 103.5 The Fox DJ and former 2016 Sportswomen of Colorado honoree Susie Wargin will co-emcee the event and present awards alongside CBS4 Colorado's leading sports anchor, Romi Bean.
Here are the 2025 Sportswomen of the Colorado Award winners:
Sport Categories
Ariana Akey – Flag Football (Mountain Vista High School)
Raegan Beers – Basketball – College (University of Oklahoma)
Sienna Betts – Basketball – High School (Grandview High School)
Addison Ritzenhein – Cross Country – High School (Niwot High School)
Tristian Spence – Cross Country – College (Adams State)
Izzy Fay – Diving (Niwot High School)
Agur Dwol – Excellence in Field Events – College (University of Oklahoma)
Maggi Congdon – Excellence in Track Events – College (Northern Arizona University)
Layla Petz – Gymnastics (Arvada West High School)
Rocquette Allen – Lacrosse – High School (Thunder Ridge High School)
Eliza Osburn and Betty Nelson – Lacrosse – College (University of North Carolina)
Taylor Green – Ninja Warrior – Professional (Broomfield High School)
Sara Rusk – Skiing (University of Denver)
Hope Leyba – Soccer – Division I College (University of Colorado)
Bella Campos – Soccer – Division II College (Colorado School of Mines)
Teagan Myers – Soccer – High School (Fossil Ridge High School)
Ireland Heer – Softball – High School (Broomfield High School)
Korbe Otis – Softball – College (University of Florida)
Madison Mintenko – Swimming – High School (Pine Creek High School)
Lucy Bell – Swimming – College (Stanford University)
JoAnna Kennedy – Tennis – High School (St. Mary's Academy)
Pam McCartney – Track and Field – Masters
Kaeli Powe – Track and Field – Large High School (Cherokee Trail High School)
Roxy Unruh – Track and Field – Small High School (Cheyenne Wells High School)
Susan Griffin-Kaklikian – Triathlon – Masters
Taylor Tuttle – Trail Running – Professional
Anne Flower – Ultra Runner – Professional
Andi Jackson – Volleyball – College Division I (University of Nebraska)
Annika Helf – Volleyball – College Division II (MSU Denver)
Bergan Waitman – Volleyball – High School (Valor Christian High School)
Special Awards
Monica Abelein – Contribution to Sport (Swimming)
Helen Braybrook and Jenna Ramsey-Rutledge – Pacesetters of the Year (CSU Pueblo and Colorado School of Mines)
Rob Cohen – Dorothy Mauk Pioneer Award (Denver Summit, Soccer)
Brihanna Crittendon – Milestone Award (Riverdale Ridge High School, Basketball)
Jenny Glenn and MSU Denver Volleyball – Coach and College Team of the Year
Mya Lesnar – Career Achievement (Colorado State University, Track and Field)
Kate McKinnon – Newcomer of the Year (Cherry Creek High School, Swimming)
Amidon Miche – Trailblazer (Hockey)
Delaney Reuter – All-Around (Eaton High School)
Caryl Smith Gilbert – Joan Birkland Leadership Award (University of Georgia, Track and Field)
Valor Christian High School Volleyball – High School Team of the Year
Four of this year's honorees will become members of the Sportswomen of Colorado Hall of Fame for receiving three awards in the same sport. Special congratulations to Niwot High School cross country sensation, Addison Ritzenhein, University of Oklahoma triple jumper Agur Dwol, Grandview High School graduate and current member of the UCLA women's basketball program, Sienna Betts, and Caryl Smith Gilbert.
About Sportswomen of Colorado
Founded in 1974, Sportswomen of Colorado is a community-based organization that promotes, honors, and empowers Colorado girls and women in sport by celebrating excellence, supporting participation, eliminating barriers, and connecting female athletes, coaches, and contributors across all levels in the state. They achieve this through their annual awards, sports camp scholarships, satellite sports clinics led by women's collegiate teams, and by raising the visibility of women's athletic achievements.
