TAMPA, Fla. – The United Soccer League announced on Tuesday Reno 1868 FC’s Chris Wehan had been voted the 2017 USL Rookie of the Year after a breakout year that saw the former University of New Mexico standout tie the USL single-season record for assists in a remarkable year for the 2017 USL expansion club.

Wehan received 72 percent of the vote to earn the award, with Louisville City FC’s Richard Ballard and Bethlehem Steel FC’s Santi Moar finishing tied for second place with 14 percent apiece.

The 2017 USL Awards were voted on by team management and a league-wide media panel that included representation from every USL market. Voting was conducted following the conclusion of the 2017 USL regular season.

“It was a great year – I think all of the stars aligned for me,” said Wehan. “I was on a really good team, I had a lot of good players around me which helped me personally. I had a chip on my shoulder a little bit after what I’d gone through with the draft and not finding a home at the very start, but I was super-fortunate this year to be part of the group.”