Sooners Host Annual Scholar-Athlete Breakfast

NORMAN - Celebrating academic achievement among Oklahoma student-athletes at the Max Weitzenhoffer Scholar-Athlete Breakfast has happened every year for the last 21 years. The tradition of honoring the academic milestones and accomplishments continues to be just as meaningful year after year.

Hundreds of OU student-athletes, coaches and athletics department staff members continued the tradition early Tuesday morning at Oklahoma Memorial Union when they gathered for the 21st annual event, as more than 50 individuals were honored for outstanding academic achievement and community service excellence.

"Our student-athletes continue to raise the bar each year with their success in the classroom, leadership on campus and dedicated involvement in the community," said OU Vice President and Director of Athletics Joe Castiglione. "Their achievements continue to fill our coaches, athletics staff and university community members with a great sense of pride, and the list of their accolades continues to grow year after year.

"I congratulate all of our student-athletes at today's breakfast, as well their coaches and our academic staff members for their tireless efforts to give each of our student-athletes a world-class experience during their time at OU. Today is one of our favorite days as an athletics department as we get to recognize those who have placed an importance on serving the community and excelling in the classroom."

OU student-athletes posted a 3.12 cumulative GPA for the fall 2018 semester, falling just shy of the 3.13 posted during the spring 2018 semester that was the best in recorded school history. The achievement marked a record 14th consecutive semester of posting at least a 3.0 figure.

OU's streak of student-athletes posting a GPA of at least 3.0 started in spring 2012. Averages have ranged from 3.01 to 3.13.

Fifteen of OU's 19 athletics teams, including every women's team, held a 3.0 cumulative GPA following the fall semester.

In addition to these accomplishments, 316 OU student-athletes earned a spot on the fall 2018 Big 12 Commissioner's Honor Roll, which requires at least a 3.0 GPA. Of the 316, 93 student-athletes recorded a perfect 4.0 GPA.

Away from the classroom, OU student-athletes have devoted more than 4,100 hours to community service over the past year, making contact with hundreds of people through mentoring, speaking arrangements and other special events.

THE AWARDS AND WINNERS

Athletics Director's Leadership Award

Given to student-athletes who demonstrate extraordinary leadership in representing the University of Oklahoma and their teams. The award recognizes the special qualities of being a leader, including mental toughness, ability to work with others, giving respect and gaining the respect of others, integrity and accountability. These qualities are tantamount to one's success in athletics and life.

Kaylee Dao (Soccer)
Andrew Doherty (Men's Track and Field/Cross Country)
Shay Knighten (Softball)
Nicole Lehrmann (Women's Gymnastics)
Spencer Papa (Men's Tennis)

Conference Medal Award

Each member institution may award a Conference Medal Award annually to a male and female student-athlete who has completed his/her athletic eligibility and who has made the most outstanding record in athletics and scholarship. (The student must have a 3.00 minimum GPA.) No student shall be eligible for this award who has not had at least two years of intercollegiate competition at the University of Oklahoma.

Connor McGinnis (Football)
Paige Welch (Soccer)

Dan Gibbens Scholar-Athlete of the Year Award

This award is given to student-athletes who have attained the highest level of scholarly and athletic success in the prior calendar year. Scholarship is to be measured by appropriate indices and academic attainment, including GPA. Athletics success is to be measured by overall athletics performance. Students must attain an OU minimum 3.50 cumulative GPA to be eligible for this award.

Alex Dalton (Football)
Kaylee Dao (Soccer)
Brenna Dowell (Women's Gymnastics)
Gabby Kearney (Women's Track and Field/Cross Country)
Madeleine Lange (Rowing)
Nicole Lehrmann (Women's Gymnastics)
Kylee McLaughlin (Volleyball)
Calvin Miller (Men's Track and Field/Cross Country)
Kaitlin Milligan (Women's Golf)
Brian Schibler (Men's Gymnastics)
Genki Suzuki (Men's Gymnastics)
Paige Welch (Soccer)

Athletics Council Achievement Award

This award honors graduating student-athletes who have overcome great personal, academic, and/or emotional odds to achieve academic success while participating in intercollegiate athletics. These young men or women have persevered and made significant personal strides toward meeting their individual goals. The common thread for all of those to be considered for this award is a motivation/drive to succeed and a work ethic that overcomes difficult situations.

Nick Basquine (Football)
Ferran Calvo (Men's Tennis)
Peter Daggett (Men's Gymnastics)
Alyssas Enneking (Volleyball)
Sydney King (Women's Track and Field)
Shay Knighten (Softball)
Maggie Nichols (Women's Gymnastics)
Gileysa Penzo (Women's Basketball)
Levi Prater (Baseball)

Athletics Council Service Award

Student-athletes receiving this award have made important contributions to the community through their commitment to service.

Andrew Doherty (Men's Track and Field/Cross Country)
Te'a Elliott-Fox (Rowing)
Tanner Justus (Men's Gymnastics)
Ana Llanusa (Women's Basketball)
Alex Marks (Women's Gymnastics)
Nicole Mendes (Softball)
Kira Morikawa (Volleyball)
Chanse Sylvie (Football)

Jay Myers Outstanding Freshman Award

Given to freshman student-athletes who best combine excellence in scholarship with potential excellence in their chosen field of athletics endeavor. The student must have a 3.00 minimum GPA.

Mason Beiler (Men' Tennis)
Ivana Corley (Women's Tennis)
Tanner Mordecai (Football)
Grace Lyons (Softball)
Kianah Motosono (Women's Tennis)
Megan Reilly (Soccer)
Morgan Seyler (Men's Gymnastics)
Annika Smith (Rowing)
Allie Stern (Women's Gymnastics)

OU Prentice Gautt Award

Established by the Oklahoma House of Representatives and awarded annually by OU's Black Student Association, this award honors a male and female student-athlete who demonstrate the dignity, integrity and strength of character reminiscent of Oklahoma's first African-American scholarship athlete.

Camille Burge (Women's Track and Field)
Jamuni McNeace (Men's Basketball)

Big 12 Gerald Lage Academic Achievement Award

Initiated in 2011, the Gerald Lage Award is the Big 12 Conference's highest academic honor. It is named for Dr. Gerald Lage, who was the Faculty Athletics Representative at Oklahoma State University from 1983-2007. To be eligible for this award, students must have earned 100 hours with a 3.80 GPA, be a letterwinner and be in residence at their institution for at least one academic year. Students may only be recognized one time.

Alexis Barnes (Women's Track and Field)
Bethany Block (Soccer)
Brenna Dowell (Women's Gymnastics)
Alyssa Enneking (Volleyball)
Kyle Escobedo (Soccer)
Sophia Fernald (Women's Track and Field/Cross Country)
Jordan Hobart (Soccer)
Jake Irvin (Baseball)
Gabby Kearney (Women's Track and Field)
Collyn Kellogg (Men's Gymnastics)
Morgan Long (Women's Track and Field/Cross Country)
Connor McGinnis (Football)
Marissa McMahand (Soccer)
Simran Sethi (Women's Tennis)
Rachel Williams (Rowing)

Most Inspiring Faculty

Awarded to faculty members who have motivated and inspired our student-athletes. These faculty members are nominated by the student-athletes and selected by the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC).

Gary Barksdale (Mathemathics)
Samuel Huskey (Classics and Letters)
Motoko Miura (Japanese)

Academic and Student Life Award for Coaches

Presented to a coach for exemplary encouragement of the personal development and academic achievement of student-athletes through principles of life skills.

Matt Potter (Soccer)

CHAMPS/Life Skills Team Competition Award

The team receiving this award has earned the most Life Skills Competition points by attendance at life skills events, athletics competitions, community service hours, campus cultural events and Bridge Builder and SAAC events, as well as earning high individual GPAs.

Women's Gymnastics