Berger, Bezerra, Capobianco share IU Athletes of the Year honors

Grace Berger propelled the Indiana women’s basketball program to the Elite Eight. Victor Bezerra helped steer IU men’s soccer to the College Cup final. And Andrew Capobianco won a national title on his way to the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games.

Now, all three Hoosiers are sharing recognition as Indiana’s Athletes of the Year for the 2020-21 school year.

“In each case these individuals contributed enormously to their programs placing in the top 10 nationally at season’s end, which represents the type of individual and team success that we strive for,” IU athletic director Scott Dolson said in a statement. “Each has already placed themselves among the very best that their programs have ever produced, and with all three set to return, I’m excited to see them continue to do great things in 2021-22.”

Berger was a triple-double machine for the Hoosiers, accomplishing the feat three times — including the first triple-double in IU women’s history — over the course of the season. The Louisville native finished her junior year averaging 15.4 points, 6.8 rebounds and 4.6 assists per game while shooting 44.1% from the field and 74.4% from the line. Her production earned her a spot on Team USA for the 2021 AmeriCup event where she averaged 5.2 points, 3.2 boards and 1.8 helpers per contest.

Bezerra was the runner-up for the prestigious MAC Herman Award after leading the national runner-up Hoosiers with 12 goals, 28 points, 26 shots on goal and four game-winning strikes. On the way to the College Cup, Bezerra set an IU record with five goals during the Big Ten Tournament.

Capobianco won the NCAA 3-meter diving championship while also claiming the Big Ten Diver of the Year award and three All-American honors. He’ll represent the United States in the Olympics in the 3-meter springboard and 3-meter synchro events later this summer.