Kero Named Finalist for Senior CLASS Award; Vote Now

OVERLAND PARK, Kan. – Michigan Tech's Tanner Kero was named one of the 10 finalists for the 2014-15 Senior CLASS Award in NCAA men's ice hockey on Friday (Feb. 13). Fans can help determine the winner by voting online at seniorCLASSaward.com.

To be eligible for the award, student-athletes must be classified as NCAA Division I seniors and have notable achievements in four areas of excellence: community, classroom, character and competition.

The finalists were chosen by national media from the list of 30 candidates announced in October. Nationwide fan voting begins immediately to help select the winner, and fans are encouraged to submit votes online at the Senior CLASS Award website through March 30. Fan votes will be combined with those of the media and Division I head coaches to determine the winners. The Senior CLASS Award recipients will be announced during the 2015 NCAA Men's Frozen Four.

Kero, a native of Hancock, Mich., leads the WCHA, with 37 points on 15 goals and 22 assists. He is tied for the nation's lead in shorthanded goals (2), is fifth in game-winning goals (5), is seventh in points (37), is 10th with a +18, and 11th in assists (22).

Kero maintains a 3.72 grade point average in mathematics with a concentration in actuarial sciences. He has received four merit awards as the top student in his class, was twice named a WCHA Scholar-Athlete, and was a member of the WCHA All-Academic Team in 2013-14.

Kero has played 142 games in a Husky uniform, tallying 102 points on 50 goals and 52 assists. He was selected as a co-captain by his teammates this season after serving as an assistant captain in 2013-14. Kero received the Merv Youngs Award as team MVP in 2013-14. As a sophomore, he received the team's Harold Meese Sportsmanship Award. He is the second oldest child in a family of 10.

As a member of the Michigan Tech hockey team, Kero volunteers with Koaches Kids (reading books at local elementary schools), and Breakers to Bay (a 5K run that benefits a local hockey rink). He also volunteers coaching local youth hockey (when available) and has also volunteered at the Canal Run and the Portage Ball.

An acronym for Celebrating Loyalty and Achievement for Staying in School, the Senior CLASS Award focuses on the total student-athlete and encourages students to use their platform in athletics to make a positive impact as leaders in their communities.

Hockey Senior CLASS Finalists