SOUTH JORDAN, Utah — Utah Valley men's soccer signee Lewis Knecht was named the Deseret News Male Athlete of the Year and Utah's Mr. Soccer, the publication announced at a banquet on Monday night.

Knecht, a member of the 2025 signing class that will be joining the Wolverines this fall, led American Fork HS to its second straight state championship last month, the team's fourth in school history.

Knecht built upon a stellar junior campaign — during which he also won the Mr. Soccer award by scoring 20 goals and assisting on 17 more — by scoring 24 goals and adding 12 assists as a senior in 2025. 

Knecht and the Wolverines will play the inaugural season at UCCU Stadium this fall.