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2018 Fall Scholar-Athletes of the Year Announced

The Big 12 Conference has announced its 2018 Fall Scholar-Athletes of the Year. The following student-athletes have been selected as award winners for their respective sports based on a vote of each sport head coaching group.

2018 BIG 12 MEN’S CROSS COUNTRY SCHOLAR-ATHLETE OF THE YEAR
Luis Martinez, Oklahoma State, Sr., Rio Rancho, N.M.

  • Currently holds a 3.775 GPA and participated in 67 percent of competitions this fall, as he earns a master’s in business analytics.
  • Placed fourth individually at the Big 12 Cross Country Championship to earn All-Big 12 honors.
  • Earned his third Cross Country Scholar-Athlete of the Year award (2016, 2017 and 2018).

2018 BIG 12 WOMEN’S CROSS COUNTRY SCHOLAR-ATHLETE OF THE YEAR
Kelly Naumann, Iowa State, Sr., Tempe, Ariz.

  • Sustainable Environments graduate student with a 3.92 grade-point average that participated in 75 percent of competitions.
  • Earned All-Big 12 honors after a 10th-place finish at the Big 12 Cross Country Championship and guided the Cyclones to a third consecutive team title.
  • Helped ISU win the Midwest Regional and earn a spot in the NCAA Cross Country Championship after a 32nd place finish.

2018 BIG 12 FOOTBALL SCHOLAR-ATHLETE OF THE YEAR
Justice Hill, Oklahoma State, Jr., Tulsa, Okla.

  • Majoring in Finance with a 3.636 GPA and 83.3 percent game participation.
  • Earned All-Big 12 First Team honors for a second consecutive year after rushing for 930 yards and nine touchdowns on 158 attempts.
  • Finished his career at OSU ranking seventh all-time in rushing yards (3,539) and rushing attempts (632) while ranking eighth in touchdowns (30).

2018 BIG 12 SOCCER SCHOLAR-ATHLETE OF THE YEAR
Grace Hagan, Kansas, Sr., Wichita, Kan.

  • A biology major that boasts a 3.73 GPA and 100 percent participation this season.
  • Garnered All-Big 12 First Team accolades after posting a team-leading 62 shots, scoring seven goals and adding five assists to become just the second Jayhawk in program history to tally 25 goals and 15 assists in a career.
  • Became the third Jayhawk in program history to earn a spot on the All-Region First Team twice in a career.

2018 BIG 12 VOLLEYBALL SCHOLAR-ATHLETE OF THE YEAR
Shelly Fanning, Baylor, R-Jr., Cypress, Texas

  • Pursuing a masters in Sport Management with a 3.66 grade-point average and 100 percent participation.
  • Led Baylor to an NCAA Championship Second Round appearance with a league-leading hitting percentage (.397).
  • Named All-Big 12 First Team two years in a row with a unanimous selection after her 2018 season.

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 20 percent of the team’s scheduled contests and have a minimum of one year in residence at the institution.