Two Penn State lacrosse stars have been nominated for the most prestigious award in college lacrosse.

Mac O’Keefe and Olivia Dirks have both been nominated for the Tewaaraton Award, which is given out annually to the best male and female player in college lacrosse each year. They’re part of a list of 25 nominees per gender.

O’Keefe’s 2021 season and Penn State career is well known, as the Nittany Lion attackman recently broke the record for the most career goals in NCAA history against Michigan last Friday. He leads the team with 25 goals this season and is second on the team with 29 points.

Despite an illustrious college career at Penn State, this is just the second time O’Keefe has been a nominee for the award. O’Keefe is a projected top pick in the upcoming PLL College Draft on April 26.

Dirks has been one of the best players for Penn State women’s lacrosse this season. The Episcopal Academy graduate is currently third on the team in goals (28) and second on the team in assists (11). Her best performance this season came when she put up nine points in a slim loss to Rutgers on April 15.

Dirks’ best attribute comes in the draw circle. She leads the Nittany Lions and the conference in draw controls with 71, which is the 16th best mark in the country. Only a sophomore, a nomination for an award of this caliber shows the promise and potential Dirks has in front of her.

Five men and women finalists will be selected from the list at the conclusion of the regular season in three weeks. Details on when the winner will be selected will become available in the coming weeks.