SAINT PAUL, Minn. – The Upper Midwest Athletic Conference (UMAC) announced their nominees for the Division III Commissioners Association (D3CA) Tuesday, and Yellowjacket graduate Alex Paredes (men's soccer) was named as one of two league nominees.
 
The D3CA presents several awards related to student-athlete achievements. The D3CA Student-Athlete of the Year award is based on academic achievement, athletics excellence, service and leadership, and a personal statement submitted by each nominee. Graduating seniors were the only student-athletes eligible for this award.
 
Paredes, who collected the 2025 UMAC Scholar-Athlete Leadership Award this past spring, has displayed a strong career as a Yellowjacket student-athlete.
 
Paredes displayed a senior season that saw him take the program lead in total wins (58), shutouts (24), and goals-against average (0.98). As a four-year starter, he played a significant role in achieving conference championships in each season and paced the Yellowjackets to their first appearance in the Sweet Sixteen. In the classroom, he carried a 3.62 grade point average which earned him all-district plaudits from the CSC and numerous UMAC Academic All-Conference distinctions. As a senior, he was also named to the United Soccer Coaches All-Region IX First Team. Off the pitch, Paredes served as a SAAC officer, coached various soccer organizations within the Twin Ports, and was a prominent figure in the community (bell ringing for the Salvation Army, camp counselor for Little Yellowjackets Summer Camps, etc.).
 
Paredes has now moved to the regional selection. Commissioners within each of the ten regions will now conduct the initial round of voting to select their region's top male and female honorees.