2025 Western Ultimate League Award Winners
The annual WUL Awards honor outstanding players and coaching staff who have made significant contributions to the league and their teams. Each nominee exemplifies excellence in their respective roles and was honored with an awards ceremony during Championship Weekend.
Most Valuable Player:
Kaela Helton
The league’s most decorated player, Helton delivered yet another electric season with San Diego Super Bloom. In 2025, she tallied over 1,100 receiving yards without a single receiving error—a feat unmatched by anyone else in the league, with the next closest player under 700 yards. Helton was one of only three athletes to rank top five on her team in goals, assists, blocks, throwing yards, and receiving yards—a testament to her dominance on every inch of the field. An opponent put it best: “Helton has reached another level this year.” A two-time MVP in 2022 and 2023 and a finalist in 2024, Helton now earns her third league MVP title, further solidifying her legendary status. Her Week 1 performance—11 combined goals and assists, 300+ throwing yards, 300+ receiving yards—marked her second career game with that stat line, something no other player has ever achieved even once. With career totals of 56 goals, 77 assists, and 55 blocks, Kaela Helton remains simply unstoppable.
Offensive Player of the Year - Ari Nelson
Colorado Alpenglow’s offensive engine, Ari Nelson, delivered another record-setting season in 2025—cementing their place as one of the league’s most formidable throwers. Nelson led the league in assists (20), throwing yards (2,506), and total yards (2,740), outpacing the next closest player by more than 300 yards. Averaging 417 throwing yards per game, Nelson set the single-game record in Week 1 with an astonishing 622 yards through the air. An opposing coach summed it up best: “I can’t get over how much of the offensive load Ari takes on for their team—they’re just a force with the disc.” With their unmatched field vision and cannon of an arm, Ari Nelson earns their second consecutive WUL Offensive Player of the Year title—and it’s easy to see why.
Defensive Player of the Year - Sadie Jezierski
With a league-leading 16 blocks this season, Seattle Tempest’s Sadie Jezierski proved once again that she’s one of the most disruptive forces in the game. Known for punishing opponent mistakes and instantly flipping momentum, Jezierski consistently turned defensive stops into offensive opportunities—racking up 17 assists, the second-highest in the league. Her 16 blocks not only led the WUL but also tied her for the fourth-most ever recorded in a single season. A fierce competitor and clutch playmaker, Jezierski anchored Seattle’s postseason push and elevated her game to new heights in 2025. Simply put, she was everywhere—and her impact was undeniable.
Breakout Player of the Year - Brittany Stettmeier
Week after week, Brittany “Britto” Stettmeier delivered elite-level performances while taking on one of the heaviest offensive loads in the league. Leading all players in offensive points played, Stettmeier matched that volume with poise and efficiency—posting an impressive 91% completion rate.
Statistically, she was unmatched -- leading the league in both goals and receiving yards, with 17 goals and 1,337 receiving yards.. But it wasn’t just the numbers that stood out. Her game-saving layouts, end zone bids, and clutch resets showed a player with grit, vision, and intensity that lit up the field. Stettmeier didn’t just break out—she broke through, establishing herself as a cornerstone of the Sidewinders and a rising star in the league.
Coaching Staff of the Year - Colorado Alpenglow
Head Coach Madison "Badger" Oleson, Defensive Coach Lena Goren and Offensive Coach Thomas Echols
The Colorado Alpenglow coaching staff proved themselves as one of the most disciplined and effective units in the league. Colorado went undefeated in the regular season (6-0), led the league in goals scored and offensive efficiency, and tied for the highest point differential at +36.
Their leadership turned a talented roster into a dominant force, earning the respect of players across the league. Alpenglow athletes said it best: “They are a hardworking group that always found a way to keep pushing us forward.” This staff didn’t just coach a team—they built a culture of excellence.
WUL Award Ceremony Gallery
Photography Credit: Rodney Chen, Ultiphotos
