Dao Named Big 12 Fall Scholar-Athlete

NORMAN – Oklahoma redshirt senior Kaylee Dao was recognized as the 2019 Big 12 Soccer Scholar-Athlete of the Year, the conference announced Tuesday. The conference recognizes one student-athlete in each of its sports with the honor following a vote from head coaches.

Dao, who is currently working toward a master's degree in human relations, boasts a 4.0 GPA. Dao's season was highlighted by her first career hat-trick in a 3-2 victory over Kansas State on Oct. 3. She started all 20 games for the Sooners, tallying a career-high 13 goals with five game-winners. Dao had the golden goal in all four of Oklahoma's overtime victories. She finished her career third all-time in OU history with 29 career goals and second all-time with 11 game winners.

The Tulsa, Okla., native added the honor to her extensive list of career accolades. Recently, she was named a first-team CoSIDA Academic All-American and has been a four-time Academic All-Big 12 selection. She was named a Senior CLASS Award first-team honoree after being named the first Senior CLASS Award Finalist in program history. Dao is a four-time All-Big 12 selection and two-time All-Region honoree.

Dao becomes the 11th Sooner student-athlete and third soccer player to receive the Scholar-Athlete of the Year award. Other Sooners to receive the honor are Louise Kuehster (rowing, 2018-19), Jake Irvin (baseball, 2017-18), Lily Miyazaki (tennis, 2017-18), Paige Welch (soccer, 2017-18), Rachel Ressler (soccer, 2015-16), Marissa Beene (rowing, 2015-16),Ty Darlington (football, 2014-15), Sallie McLauren (volleyball, 2013-14), Gabe Ikard (football, 2013-14) and Kevin Williams (outdoor track and field, 2012-13).

The Big 12 Conference established its Scholar-Athlete of the Year Award in 2012-13. A recipient is named in each conference-sponsored sport. Every Big 12 institution nominates one individual per sport with the winners selected by a vote of the league head coaches for that sport, who are not allowed to vote for their own student-athletes. Scholar-Athlete of the Year nominees must be a junior or senior (athletic and academic standing), have a cumulative grade point average of 3.20 or higher, participate in at least 60 percent of the team's scheduled contests and have a minimum of one year in residence at the institution.

Players Mentioned

Kaylee Dao

Paige Welch

Sponsors

University of Oklahoma Athletics