Outstanding Kansas State Student-Athletes Honored
Apr 03, 2002 | Volleyball
April 3, 2002
MANHATTAN, Kan. - The Kansas State Student Services for Intercollegiate Athletics honored distinguished Wildcat student-athletes who achieved at least a 3.0 grade point average at the sixth annual Student-Athlete Recognition Banquet at the Kansas State Student Union Tuesday evening.
In addition to recognizing students with either a fall semester or cumulative grade point average of 3.0, Academic All-Big 12 members for all sports, Verizon Academic All-Americas, Student-Athletes Of The Year and the Bob and Lila Snell Award of Excellence and Effort are also being awarded. Kansas State had 39 Academic All-Big 12 selections and five Verizon Academic All-Americas or All-District honorees this athletic season.
"Tonight gives the university and the athletic department a chance to honor the student portion of the student-athlete equation," said Phil Hughes, Associate Athletic Director for Student Services. "The athletic achievements of our student-athletes is often heralded in many corners and tonight is our opportunity to recognize their superior academic efforts in the classroom."
Teena Clincy, a senior track student-athlete and Osmar Castillo, a senior baseball student-athlete, were this year's recipients of the Bob and Lila Snell Award of Excellence and Effort, recognizing the outstanding male and female athletes who both improve their academic standing through sustained effort and commitment to learning. These winners overcame obstacles and showed tremendous effort in their academic work.
Clincy, a native of Dallas, Texas, finished fifth at the recent Big 12 indoor championships and has the fourth-longest triple jump on the team this year. Last year, the business administration major was seventh at the outdoor championships and fourth in the indoor championship in the triple jump.
Castillo, a native of Valencia, Venezuela, is the Wildcats' starting shortstop. The most recent Big 12 Player of the Week is currently hitting .354 with seven doubles, a triple and 13 RBI. The business administration major leads the team in stolen bases with six and is currently riding a nine-game hitting streak.
Liz Wegner, a senior volleyball student-athlete and Jon McGraw, a senior football student-athlete, were awarded the first-ever female and male Scholar-Athlete Awards. The awards recognize the outstanding senior male and female student-athletes for the 2001-2002 season.
Wegner guided the No. 18 Wildcat volleyball team to a 20-8 overall record and their sixth straight appearance in the NCAA Tournament. The Grand Island, Neb., native, was a two-time Academic All-Big 12 Conference selection and a Verizon Academic All-District honoree.
McGraw captained the Wildcat football team to a 6-6 record and to their ninth straight bowl appearance. The Manhattan, Kan., native, was second on the team in tackles, making 56 solo tackles and 15 assisted tackles. He also had four interceptions for 54 yards. McGraw is a two-time Verizon Academic All-America and a four-time Academic All-Big 12 Conference selection.
