Mid-American Conference

MAC ANNOUNCES DISTINGUISHED SCHOLAR ATHLETES IN WINTER SPORTS
109 Students honored in voting by Mid-American Conference Faculty Athletic Representatives
 
Cleveland, Ohio – The Mid-American Conference announced today the Distinguished Scholar Athletes from the eight winter sports during this 2018-19 academic season as 109 students were voted by faculty athletic representatives at MAC institutions representing the ‘best of the best’ from each sports Academic All-MAC Teams.
 
Leading the way were 27 MAC women’s indoor track & field students named as Distinguished Scholar Athletes. MAC women’s swimming & diving and men’s indoor track & field both had 19 selections, while men’s swimming & diving had 15 honorees. MAC wrestling had 10 students named as Distinguished Scholar Athletes, while women’s gymnastics had eight selections, men’s basketball added six selections and women’s basketball added five honorees.
 
The Distinguished Scholar Athlete is an award in its fifth year given to students who have excelled in athletics and academics.  Following each season from the winter sports schedule, any student with a 3.20 GPA and participation in at least 50 percent of the contests was automatically named to the previously announced Academic All-MAC Team from each sport.  Also, first-year students and junior college transfers in their first year of residence were not eligible for the award.
 
From the Academic All-MAC Teams, the faculty athletic representatives selected the ‘best of the best’ of our Academic All-MAC Teams to be honored with Distinguished Scholar Athlete Award for the 2018-19 season.  A Distinguished Scholar Athlete must have a 3.50 GPA or higher and the number of Distinguished Scholar Athletes from each sport were equivalent to the number of first-team selections or 20% of nominees, whichever was greater.
 
Later this spring, the MAC will announce the Distinguished Scholar Athletes from the remaining eight spring sports sponsored by the Conference.
 
2018-19 MAC Men’s Indoor Track & Field Distinguished Scholar Athletes (19):
Adam Alexander, Akron, Senior, 3.717 GPA, Nursing (Tiffin, OH)
Tevin Brown, Akron, Junior, 3.805 GPA, Special Education (Toledo, OH)
*Preston Fillman, Akron, Junior, 3.672 GPA, Mechanical Engineering, (Hanoverton, OH)
Brandon Hochbein, Akron, Sophomore, 3.731 GPA, Emergency Management (Sarver, PA)
Dylan Hochbein, Akron, Junior, 3.755 GPA, Nursing (Sarver, PA)
*Matt Ludwig, Akron, Senior, 3.886 GPA, Biomedical Engineering (Chardon, OH)
Terrell McClain, Akron, Senior (Grad), 3.60 GPA, Sport Science (Youngstown, OH)
Nick Stricklen, Akron, Junior, 3.977 GPA, Exercise Science (Lexington, OH)
Sean Beckom II, Eastern Michigan, Junior, 3.53 GPA, Independent Studies (Saginaw, MI)
Owen Day, Eastern Michigan, Sophomore, 3.65 GPA, Simulation/Animation & Gaming (Ottawa, Ontario)
Hayelom Fitsum, Eastern Michigan, Sophomore, 3.71 GPA, Engineering (Denver, CO)
Derek Jones, Eastern Michigan, Sophomore, 3.86 GPA, Business (Erie, PA)
Owen Richardson, Eastern Michigan, Sophomore, 3.56 GPA, Exercise Science (Basingstoke, England)
Austin Wicker, Eastern Michigan, Sophomore, 4.00 GPA, Nursing (Pinckney, MI)
Joshua Allen, Kent State, Sophomore, 3.980 GPA, Mathematics (Westerville, OH)
Kevin Jones, Kent State, Junior, 4.000 GPA, Criminology and Justice Studies (Delaware, OH)
*^TJ Lawson, Kent State, Junior, 3.778 GPA, Sports Administration/Business Management (Stow, OH)
*^Walter Petzel, Kent State, Junior, 3.799 GPA, Construction Management (Kingston, OH)
Justin Prack, Kent State, Sophomore, 3.798 GPA, Accounting (Springfield, OH)
 
* 2017-18 Distinguished Scholar-Athlete
^ 2016-17 Distinguished Scholar Athlete
~ 2015-16 Distinguished Scholar-Athlete
 
2018-19 MAC Women’s Indoor Track & Field Distinguished Scholar Athletes (27):
*^Mackenzie Andrews, Akron, Senior (Grad), 4.00 GPA, Exercise Physiology (Toowoomba, Australia)
Iman Batiste, Akron, Junior, 3.697 GPA, Exercise Science (Dublin, OH)
*Lucy Bryan, Akron, Junior, 3.648 GPA, Sport Management (Bristol, England)
Lindsey Scarton, Akron, Sophomore, 3.835 GPA, Physical Therapy (Berea, OH)
Victoria Stachowski, Akron, Junior, 3.664 GPA, Exercise Science (Waterford, MI)
Hailley Peters, Ball State, Sophomore, 3.955 GPA, Nursing (Seymour, IN)
*Peyton Stewart, Ball State, Senior, 3.567 GPA, Exercise Science (Indianapolis, IN)
*^~Aliyah Gustafson, Bowling Green, Senior, 4.00 GPA, Exercise Science (Iowa City, IA)
Allison Holahan, Bowling Green, Junior, 3.985 GPA, Biology (Gahanna, OH)
*^Rachel Walny, Bowling Green, Senior, 3.833 GPA, Exercise Science (Clinton Township, MI)
*^Samantha Cuneo, Central Michigan, Senior, 3.72 GPA, Integrative Public Relations (Belmont, MI)
Callie Stemple, Central Michigan, Senior, 3.38 GPA, Exercise Science (Waterford, MI)
Kadian Clarke, Eastern Michigan, Sophomore, 3.91 GPA, Actuarial Science (Kingston, Jamaica)
*^Sydney Meyers, Eastern Michigan, Senior, 3.90 GPA, Marketing (Zionsville, IN)
Gianna Salzbrunn, Eastern Michigan, Junior, 3.95 GPA, Sport Management (North Aurora, IL)
Rachel Banks, Kent State, Sophomore, 3.959 GPA, Nursing (Chardon, OH)
Olivia Davis, Kent State, Senior, 3.947 GPA, Chemistry (Kettering, OH)
Nicole Yeargin, Kent State, Junior, 3.630 GPA, Construction Management (Bowie, MD)
Sarah Bruns, Miami, Sophomore, 3.79 GPA, Marketing (Cincinnati, OH)
Maegan Murphy, Miami, Junior, 4.00 GPA, Microbiology & Premedical Studies (Mason, OH)
Ericka Hibser, NIU, Senior, 3.921 GPA, Biological Sciences (Lewistown, IL)
Atalia Lima, Toledo, Junior, 3.534 GPA, Interdisciplinary Studies (Boa Vista, Brazil)
*Janelle Noe, Toledo, Senior, 3.845 GPA, Exercise Science (Sylvania, OH)
Athena Welsh, Toledo, Junior, 3.614 GPA, Marketing (Louisville, OH)
*^Sarah Anderson, Western Michigan, Junior, 3.50 GPA, Exercise Science (Grand Rapids, MI)
Erin Dowd, Western Michigan, Junior, 3.65 GPA, Chemical Engineering (Brighton, MI)
*Erica Sheahan, Western Michigan, Junior, 3.98 GPA, Accounting (Ithaca, MI)
 
* 2017-18 Distinguished Scholar-Athlete
^ 2016-17 Distinguished Scholar-Athlete
~ 2015-16 Distinguished Scholar-Athlete
 
2018-19 MAC Men’s Swimming & Diving Distinguished Scholar Athletes (15):
Sean Wolfe, Ball State, Sophomore, 3.98 GPA, Computer Science (Danville, IN)
Spencer Klinsky, Miami, Sophomore, 3.94 GPA, Biochemistry & Neuroscience (Brentwood, TN)
Diego Valentim, Miami, Junior, 3.80 GPA, Public Health (Rio De Janeiro, Brazil)
Nick Ward, Miami, Junior, 3.50 GPA, Engineering Management (Westerville, OH)
James Wray, Miami, Senior, 3.80 GPA, Finance (Cincinnati, OH)
Bryce Blattner, Missouri State Senior, 3.61 GPA, Journalism (Wichita, KS)
Thomas Heye, Missouri State, Junior, 3.92 GPA, Cell & Molecular Biology (Little Rock, AR)
*^Artur Osvath, Missouri State, Senior, 3.87 GPA, Finance (Budapest, Hungary)
Lucas Paloschi, Missouri State, Senior, 3.86 GPA, Agricultural Business/Agricultural Finance & Management (Porto Alegre, Brazil)
Samuel Senn, Missouri State, Junior, 3.91 GPA, Accounting (Springfield, MO)
*^Chris Cole, Southern Illinois, Senior, 3.969 GPA, Journalism (Portage, MI)
Jimmy Dooley, Southern Illinois, Junior, 3.583 GPA, Journalism (Round Lake, IL)
Tamas Hajtman, Southern Illinois, Junior, 3.667 GPA, Electrical Engineering (Bekescsaba, Hungary)
Kai Hoffmann-Dussome, Southern Illinois, Junior, 4.00 GPA, Aviation Flight (Mississaugu, Ontario, Canada)
Chris Phillips, Southern Illinois, Junior, 3.817 GPA, Marketing (La Grange Park, IL)
 
* 2017-18 Distinguished Scholar-Athlete
^ 2016-17 Distinguished Scholar-Athlete
~ 2015-16 Distinguished Scholar-Athlete
 
2018-19 MAC Women’s Swimming & Diving Distinguished Scholar Athletes (19):
Jessica Bonezzi, Akron, Junior, 3.946 GPA, Speech – Language Pathology and Audiology (Wooster, OH)
^Ragen Engel, Akron, Senior, 3.578 GPA, Biology (Springfield, OH)
*Ellie Nebraska, Akron, Junior, 3.986 GPA, Accounting (Delaware, OH)
Paulina Nogaj, Akron, Sophomore, 3.90 GPA, Strategic & Organizational Communication (Radom, Poland)
*Mackenzie Vargas, Akron, Junior, 3.756 GPA, Supply Chain/Operations Management (Roseville, CA)
*Morgan Waggoner, Akron, Junior, 3.894 GPA, Biology (Fremont, OH)
*Talisa Lemke, Bowling Green, Junior, 4.00 GPA, Theatre (Berlin, Germany)
Brittney Beetcher, Buffalo, Sophomore, 4.00 GPA, Business Management (Boulder, CO)
Olivia Sapio, Buffalo, Sophomore, 3.855 GPA, Accounting (Orchard Park, NY)
*^Delaney Duncan, Eastern Michigan, Senior., 3.71 GPA, Marketing (Galesburg, IL)
*Casey Gavigan, Eastern Michigan, Junior, 3.82 GPA, Exercise Science- Int (East Setauket, NY)
Gabrielle Mace, Eastern Michigan, Senior, 3.93 GPA, Anthropology (Clinton, MI)
Sophia Tsafantakis, Eastern Michigan, Junior, 3.69 GPA, Therapeutic Recreation (Washington, MI)
Hannah Fuchs, Miami, Junior, 3.62 GPA, Speech Pathology and Audiology (Louisville, KY)
*Izzy Herb, Miami, Junior, 3.90 GPA, Speech Pathology and Audiology (St. Charles, IL)
Abby Stone, Miami, Senior, 3.81 GPA, Kinesiology (Granville, OH)
Molly Zilch, Miami, Junior, 3.78 GPA, International Media Studies & Entrepreneurship (Cincinnati, OH)
Emilia Lahtinen, Ohio, Junior, 3.778 GPA, Bios Pre-Professional (Ylojarvi, Finland)
*^Corrin Van Lanen, Ohio, Senior, 3.943 GPA, Psychology (Green Bay, WI)
 
* 2017-18 Distinguished Scholar-Athlete
^ 2016-17 Distinguished Scholar-Athlete
~ 2015-16 Distinguished Scholar-Athlete
 
2018-19 MAC Wrestling Distinguished Scholar Athletes (10):
Derek Spann, Buffalo, Sophomore, 3.508 GPA, Social Sciences (Boonville, NY)
Drew Hildebrandt, Central Michigan, Sophomore, 3.64 GPA, Finance (Granger, IN)
Collin Lieber, Central Michigan, R-Freshman, 3.81 GPA, Mechanical Engineering (Lexington, MI)
Drew Marten, Central Michigan, R-Freshman, 3.75 GPA, Biochemistry (Tecumseh, MI)
Tim Rooney, Kent State, Junior, 3.833 GPA, Exercise Science (Columbus, OH)
*^John Erneste, Missouri, Senior, 3.706 GPA, MBA Program (Kansas City, MO)
Drew West, NIU, R-Freshman, 3.50 GPA, Health Sciences (Solon, IA)
Killian Cardinale, Old Dominion, R-Freshman, 3.71 GPA, Undecided (Bristow, VA)
Dean Drugac, Old Dominion, Sophomore, 3.74 GPA, Criminal Justice (Hibernia, NJ)
Kade Kowalski, Ohio, Junior, 3.737 GPA, Management Information Systems (Nashport, OH)
 
* 2017-18 Distinguished Scholar-Athlete
^ 2016-17 Distinguished Scholar Athlete
~ 2015-16 Distinguished Scholar-Athlete
 
2018-19 MAC Men’s Basketball Distinguished Scholar Athletes (6):
*Kyle Mallers, Ball State, Junior, 3.56 GPA, Finance (Fort Wayne, IN)
Austin Nehls, Ball State, Senior, 4.00 GPA, Master of Business Administration (Tucson, AZ)
Dontay Caruthers, Buffalo, Grad., 3.67 GPA, Education Studies (Rochester, NY)
Jason Carter, Ohio, Sophomore, 3.51 GPA, Management & Strategic Leadership (Johnstown, OH)
Ben Vander Plas, Ohio, R-Freshman, 3.98 GPA, Communication Studies (Ripon, WI)
*^Seth Dugan, Western Michigan, Senior, 3.97 GPA, Finance (Ostego, MI)
 
* 2017-18 Distinguished Scholar-Athlete
^ 2016-17 Distinguished Scholar Athlete
~ 2015-16 Distinguished Scholar-Athlete
 
2018-19 MAC Women’s Basketball Distinguished Scholar Athletes (5):
Megan Sefcik, Akron, Senior 3.957 GPA, Elementary Education-literacy (Austintown, OH)
*^Reyna Frost, Central Michigan, Senior, 3.68 GPA, Mathematics (Reese, MI)
*^Presley Hudson, Central Michigan, Senior, 3.72 GPA, Physical Activity Specialist (Wayland, MI)
Savannah Kluesner, Miami, Junior, 3.74 GPA, Supply Chain & Operations Management & Marketing (St. Charles, MO)
*^Mikayla Voigt, NIU, Senior, 3.933 GPA, Nursing (Slinger, WI)
 
* 2017-18 Distinguished Scholar-Athlete
^ 2016-17 Distinguished Scholar Athlete
~ 2015-16 Distinguished Scholar-Athlete
 
2018-19 MAC Gymnastics Distinguished Scholar Athletes (8):
*Denelle Pedrick, Central Michigan, Junior, ?3.72 GPA?, Exercise Sciences/Clinical Exercise Science (Wilcox, Saskatchewan)
*Gianna Plaksa, Central Michigan, Senior?, 3.92? GPA, Biology/Biomedical Sciences Major (Mountain Top, PA)
Cortney Bezold, Eastern Michigan, Sophomore, 4.00 GPA, Nursing- Intent (Maineville, OH)
*^Dara Williams, Kent State, Senior, 3.907 GPA, Psychology (Bloomington, IL)
Abby Fletcher, Kent State, Sophomore, 3.775 GPA, Fashion Merchandising (Oradell, NJ)
Mia Lord, NIU, Sophomore, 3.96 GPA, Psychology (McCordsville, IN)
*^Anna Martucci, NIU, Senior, 3.57 GPA, Marketing (Clarkston, MI)
*^Rachael Underwood, Western Michigan, Senior, 3.96 GPA, Occupational Therapy (Cary, IL)
 
* 2017-18 Distinguished Scholar-Athlete
^ 2016-17 Distinguished Scholar Athlete
~ 2015-16 Distinguished Scholar-Athlete