UMAC announces finalists for 2018 Scholar-Athlete Leadership Award
ST. PAUL, Minn.--- Each spring, the Upper Midwest Athletic Conference (UMAC) recognizes outstanding senior student-athletes who demonstrate a healthy balance by achieving excellence in academics, leadership, and service while participating in intercollegiate athletics, through the UMAC Scholar-Athlete Leadership Award.
This year, the UMAC has named nine female and nine male finalists who will be eligible to receive the UMAC Scholar-Athlete Leadership Award, the conference office announced Wednesday.
The UMAC Scholar-Athlete Leadership Award is presented to student-athletes who embody what it means to be an NCAA Division III student-athlete. Through this award, the UMAC recognizes the role athletics plays in developing leaders by rewarding athletes' excellence in the classroom as well as service to the community.
The NCAA Division III student-athlete is unique among intercollegiate athletes because, at Division III institutions, student-athletes receive no financial aid for athletics participation. Such institutions emphasize the overall quality of the educational experience and the successful completion of the student's academic program; athletic participation is an important part of that educational experience. Division III provides opportunities for student-athletes to be a part of numerous campus activities in addition to athletics, and these finalists have maximized those opportunities.
Finalists are nominated by each institution and the winners are selected by the UMAC Council of Faculty Athletics Representatives. Winners of the Scholar-Athlete Leadership Award – which will be given to one male and one female – will be announced Wednesday, April 11. The two award winners will be honored on their individual campuses and presented with a personalized plaque.
2018 UMAC Female Scholar-Athlete Leadership Award Finalists
| Jackie Doering |
University of Northwestern |
Charles City, Iowa/Charles City |
Volleyball, Basketball |
| Kira Grev |
Martin Luther College |
Oakdale, Minn./St. Croix Lutheran |
Volleyball |
| Christaia Houser |
College of St. Scholastica |
Esko, Minn./Homeschool |
Volleyball |
| Brittany Laehn |
University of Wisconsin-Superior |
Gilmanton, Wis./gilmanton |
Basketball |
| Autumn Mahoney |
University of Minnesota Morris |
Frazee, Minn./Frazee |
Softball |
| Nicole Moldstad |
Bethany Lutheran College |
North Mankato, Minn./Minnesota Valley Lutheran |
Soccer, Tennis |
| Kathryn Nolan |
Northland College |
Guilford, Conn. |
Cross Country |
| Danelle Pageler |
North Central University |
Warren, Minn./Warren-Alvarado-Oslo |
Softball, Cross Country |
| Cassidy Valenzuela |
Crown College |
Anaheim, Calif./Katella |
Softball, Soccer |
2018 UMAC Male Scholar-Athlete Leadership Award Finalists
| Alex Dzikonski |
University of Wisconsin-Superior |
South Range, Wis./Superior |
Track and Field |
| Cameron Fair |
University of Northwestern |
Sterling, Kan./Sterling |
Tennis |
| Kevin Harris |
Bethany Lutheran College |
El Paso, Texas, Santa Teresa |
Track and Field, Baseball |
| Aidan Johan |
Northland College |
Erie, Colo./Tara Performing Arts School |
Cross Country |
| Nick McCormick |
Crown College |
Edwards, Ill./Elmwood-Brimfield |
Football |
| Samuel Melchior |
University of Minnesota Morris |
St. Anthony, Minn./St. Anthony Village |
Baseball |
| Daniel Morgenstern |
North Central University |
Apple Valley, Minn./School of Environmental Studies |
Cross Country, Track and Field |
| Ethan Schultz |
Martin Luther College |
Waukesha, Wis./Luther Prep |
Soccer |
| Dylan Zimmerman |
College of St. Scholastica |
Elmdale, Minn./Upsala |
Basketball |