TAMPA, Fla. – USL League One today announced that Northern Colorado Hailstorm FC defender Bruno Rendón has been voted the 2024 USL League One Defender of the Year.

Rendón is the third consecutive Hailstorm player named Defender of the Year (Arthur Rogers - 2022, 2023), and Northern Colorado is the first team in League One history to have a player win an individual USL League One Award in each of its first three seasons of existence.

"I'm incredibly thankful and honored to be named Defender of the Year,"  Rendón said. "This achievement means so much to me, and I'm grateful for all the support and encouragement along the way."

Rendón followed up his 2023 All-League Second Team campaign with a stellar showing in 2024 to earn All-League First Team honors, leading the league with 169 duels won and helping the Hailstorm to a club-record, top-two finish. The versatile, 24-year-old Cuban also tallied six goals, two assists, 88 recoveries, 75 aerial duels won, 47 completed long passes, 35 clearances, 29 tackles won, 28 fouls won, 26 dribbles completed, 22 chances created, 16 shots on target and 14 interceptions.

Rendón began his professional career in NISA with the Syracuse Pulse in 2022 before joining Northern Colorado in 2023. The former Cuba youth international enjoyed a relatively successful 2023 campaign, primarily lining up in a defensive position.

Rendón flourished in 2024 following the offseason departure of two-time USL League One Defender of the Year Arthur Rogers to USL Championship side FC Tulsa. While playing in a defensive position for 64% of the regular season, the Cuban demonstrated his versatility throughout Northern Colorado's club-best season, playing as a midfielder and as a forward in 31% and 5% of the regular season, respectively.

"Three years in a row we've had a player win Defender of the Year," Hailstorm head coach Éamon Zayed said. "That speaks volumes to the coaching staff here and how much emphasis we place on developing player talent. Bruno is a fantastic example of that."

Rendón received 25.4% of the ballot to earn the award. All-League First Team selection and Forward Madison FC captain Mitch Osmond finished second on 17.2% with his 74 recoveries, 73 duels won and season-high 1,228 passes completed, while fellow All-League First Team selection and One Knoxville SC defender Jordan Skelton finished third for the second consecutive season on 10.7% with his 115 clearances, 101 duels won and 81 recoveries. In total, 23 players received votes.

The 2024 USL League One Awards were voted on by each team's technical staff and executives and only account for 2024 USL League One regular season play.

USL League One Defender of the Year

2024 – Bruno Rendón, Northern Colorado Hailstorm FC

2023– Arthur Rogers, Northern Colorado Hailstorm FC

2022 – Arthur Rogers, Northern Colorado Hailstorm FC

2021 – Damià Viader, Union Omaha

2020 – Brandon Fricke, Greenville Triumph SC

2019 – Conner Antley, South Georgia Tormenta FC

2024 USL League One Awards

Goalkeeper of the Year: Sean Lewis, One Knoxville SC

Defender of the Year: Bruno Rendón, Northern Colorado Hailstorm FC

Young Player of the Year: Thursday, Nov. 14

Coach Player of the Year: Friday, Nov. 15

Player of the Year: Saturday, Nov. 16