Big 12 Conference - Official Athletic Site
2017 Spring Scholar-Athletes of the Year Announced
June 08, 2017
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The Big 12 Conference has announced its 2017 Spring Scholar-Athletes of the Year. The following student-athletes have been selected as award winners for their respective sports based on the votes of each sport's respective head coaches.

2017 BIG 12 BASEBALL SCHOLAR-ATHLETE OF THE YEAR
Richard Cunningham, Baylor, RSo., Austin, Texas

  • Finance major with a 3.83 grade-point average and 100 percent participation.
  • Is a two-time Academic All-Big 12 first team honoree; also named 2017 All-Big 12 Honorable Mention.
  • Started 45 games in center field for BU and led the team in doubles (career-high 15) this season.

2017 BIG 12 MEN'S GOLF SCHOLAR-ATHLETE OF THE YEAR
Matthew Perrine, Baylor, Jr., Austin, Texas

  • Accounting/finance major with a 3.80 grade-point average and 100 percent participation.
  • Tied for sixth in the 2017 Big 12 Men's Golf Championship while notching a team-best 294 (76-71-73-74) mark.
  • Recorded October Men's Golfer of the Month award after owning a 68.33 stroke average for the month and a first place victory at the Royal Oaks Intercollegiate.

2017 BIG 12 WOMEN'S GOLF SCHOLAR-ATHLETE OF THE YEAR
MJ Kamin, Iowa State, Jr., Cedar Rapids, Iowa

  • Construction engineering major with a 3.94 grade-point average and 100 percent participation.
  • Earned first team Academic All-Big 12 honors.
  • Fired a 228 (79-75-74) to tie for 63rd at the NCAA Lubbock Regional.

2017 BIG 12 ROWING SCHOLAR-ATHLETE OF THE YEAR
Louisa Morgan, West Virginia, Sr., Blenheim, New Zealand

  • Industrial engineering major with a 3.90 grade-point average and 100 percent participation.
  • Named team captain and notched 2017 All-Big 12 Rowing Team honors.
  • Received the 2017 Collegiate Rowing Association (CRCA) Scholar Athlete Award.

2017 BIG 12 SOFTBALL SCHOLAR-ATHLETE OF THE YEAR
Vanessa Shippy, Oklahoma State, Jr., Coeur d'Alene, Idaho

  • Finance and marketing major with a 3.92 grade-point average and 100 percent participation.
  • Named third-team All-American by the National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) and an Academic All-American for the second straight year.
  • Led OSU with a .398 batting average with 48 runs and 46 RBI, including the game-winning RBI in OSU's 1-0 victory over No. 1 seeded Florida in the Gainesville Regional.

2017 BIG 12 MEN'S TENNIS SCHOLAR-ATHLETE OF THE YEAR
Alex Ghilea, Oklahoma, Sr., Neamt, Romania

  • International business major with a 3.57 grade-point average and 100 percent participation.
  • Is a three-time All-Big 12 first team selection and was named a singles All-American after his round of 16 finish in the NCAA Championship.
  • Was awarded the ITA/Arthur Ashe, Jr. Sportsmanship and Leadership Award this season.

2017 BIG 12 CO-WOMEN'S TENNIS SCHOLAR-ATHLETE OF THE YEAR
Blair Shankle, Baylor, Sr., Dallas, Texas

  • Accounting major with a 3.98 grade-point average and 100 percent participation.
  • Received ITA's Most Improved Senior Award and named CoSIDA Academic All-District.
  • An All-Big 12 first team selection, she finished her career ranked No. 6 in singles and No. 39 in doubles.

2017 BIG 12 CO-WOMEN'S TENNIS SCHOLAR-ATHLETE OF THE YEAR
Lily Miyazaki, Oklahoma, Jr., Tokyo, Japan

  • Mathematics major with a 4.0 grade-point average and 95 percent participation.
  • Earned All-Big 12 First Team honors in singles and was named the 2017 ITA Central Region Player to Watch.
  • Is the first Sooner since 2004 to make an individual NCAA tournament appearance.

2017 BIG 12 CO-MEN'S TRACK & FIELD SCHOLAR-ATHLETE OF THE YEAR
Everette Favor, Oklahoma, RSr., Houston, Texas

  • Graduate school human relations major with a 4.0 grade-point average and 100 percent participation.
  • Finished third in Pole Vault at the Big 12 Outdoor Championship.
  • Advanced to the NCAA Championship after finishing 12th at the West Regional Prelims.

2017 BIG 12 CO-MEN'S TRACK & FIELD SCHOLAR-ATHLETE OF THE YEAR
Craig Nowak, Oklahoma State, Sr., Cypress, Texas

  • Finance and accounting major with a 3.43 grade-point average and 63 percent participation.
  • Named high point scorer at the Big 12 Indoor Championship (28 points). He won the 3,000m and the distance-medley relay where he ran the anchor leg.
  • Advanced to the 1,500 m final in the NCAA Championship.

2017 BIG 12 WOMEN'S TRACK & FIELD SCHOLAR-ATHLETE OF THE YEAR
Amy Cashin, West Virginia, Sr., Werribee, Australia

  • Sport and exercise psychology major with a 3.91 grade-point average and 83 percent participation.
  • Is one of two Mountaineers that punched their ticket for the NCAA Championships and set a school record at the NCAA East Regional in the 3,000-meter steeplechase (10:01.19).
  • Took second place at the Big 12 Championship in the 3,000-meter steeplechase (10:18.08).

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 (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.

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