RICHARDSON, TX (06.08.18) - Five UT Dallas student-athletes were recognized on Friday as the American Southwest Conference announced its Distinguished Scholar-Athletes for the 2017-18 winter/spring sports.

Comet seniors Hailey Hollas (women's golf), Ryan Morton (men's tennis), Levi Pettit (men's golf) and Stefanie Polderman (softball) along with sophomore Kathy Joseph (women's tennis) were among the 11 ASC student-athletes honored with the award from the league's 10 winter/spring sports. UTD finished the 2017-18 academic year with a school-record seven ASC Distinguished Scholar-Athletes as cross country standouts Lindsey Rayborn and John Will were recognized in the fall.

The ASC's Distinguished Scholar-Athlete Teams recognize student-athletes who achieve a high level of academic achievement (a 3.20 grade-point average or better) while competing as a starter or important reserve on their team. From that list – limited to one nominee per school in each ASC championship sport – the sports information directors from the 13 ASC member institutions and two affiliate members select a Distinguished Scholar-Athlete in each sport. Three other Comets were recognized on the ASC's Distinguished Scholar-Athlete Teams - seniors Reagan Keogh (men's basketball) and Connor Scruggs (baseball) along with sophomore Victoria Pena (women's basketball).

A native of Richmond, Hollas played in eight tournaments for the Comets as a senior with a scoring average of 84.20 in 15 rounds. She tied for 24th at the 2018 ASC Championships with a 36-hole total of 176. Hollas was named ASC Sportsmanship Golfer of the Year for 2018. A four-year letter-winner for the Comets, she left the program with the career-record for rounds played (57) and scoring average (84.98). She was a three-time Academic All-ASC honoree during her career as well as a three-time WGCA All-American Scholar. Hollas boasts a 3.95 grade point average in Marketing. She becomes just the second UTD women's golfer to claim this honor, and first since 2009.

Morton, a native of Odessa, earned All-ASC and first team All-ASC West honors after helping the Comets to a third-straight perfect run in the West Division. He earned all-conference accolades singles at Flight #6 for UTD, recording an 8-3 record this spring, including a perfect 6-0 mark in divisional play. Morton also posted a 6-2 combined record in double action, going 4-0 in ASC West, all at No. 3. He shared the ASC Sportsmanship Athlete of the Year Award. He has a 3.96 grade point average in Mechanical Engineering. Morton becomes the first-ever UTD men's tennis player to claim this award.

A Dallas native, Pettit played in seven tournaments for the Comets as a senior with a team-best scoring average of 76.41 through 17 rounds. He placed 4th at the 2018 ASC Championships with a 54-hole total of 218, earning All-Tournament honors. Pettit had career-low round of 70 in third round of ASC Championships. He is a three-time Academic All-ASC selection for the Comets and was named second team All-ASC as a sophomore. Pettit boasts a 3.83 grade point average in Finance/Economics. He becomes the third all-time Comet, and second in three years, to claim the honors for men's golf.

Polderman, a native of West Vancouver, British Columbia, was named first team All-ASC for the second consecutive season as she was one of just two seniors for the Comets in 2018. She hit .360 for the Comets during her senior campaign with two doubles and a home run. Polderman ranked second on the team and third in the ASC with 32 stolen bases and finished the spring with 32 runs scored and 22 RBI. A three-time Academic All-ASC selection for the Comets, she was also a three-time All-ASC performer as well, earning third team honors as a sophomore. As a junior she was named CoSIDA first team Academic All-American and was named third team Academic All-American as a senior. Polderman has a 3.91 grade point average in Biochemistry. She also claimed the honor as a junior after becoming just the second Comet to claim the award in softball. Polderman is the fifth two-time winner at UTD in any sport.

A native of Williston, Vt., Joseph was tabbed the ASC West Most Valuable Player after leading the Comets to their first division title since moving to the West Division. She was named All-ASC and first team All-ASC West in both singles and doubles as a sophomore. Joseph posted a 15-1 record in singles action this spring, going 6-0 in ASC West play, primarily at No. 2 singles. She added a 13-2 mark in doubles play, also going 6-0 against division squads, at No. 1. Joseph was a four-time ASC West Player of the Week during the season. She maintains a 3.89 grade point average in Mechanical Engineering. Joseph becomes the third Comet women's tennis player to claim this honor.

The ASC began awarding the Distinguished Scholar-Athlete Awards during the 2007-08 academic year. Since, UTD has had 30 honorees representing 12 of the Comets' 13 varsity sports. 

All-Time ASC Distinguished Scholar-Athletes from UTD

Men's Cross Country
John Will (2017)

Women's Cross Country
Sam Hartke (2014)
Samantha Tschirhart (2015)
Lindsey Rayborn (2016, 2017)

Men's Soccer
Sam Konstanty (2015, 2016)

Women's Soccer
Lindsey Ayers (2007)

Volleyball
Michelle Toro (2015, 2016)

Men's Basketball
Scott Rodgers (2010-11)
Chris Barnes (2010-11, 2011-12)
Kyle Schleigh (2012-13)
Matthew Medell (2014-15)

Women's Basketball
Ericka Baker (2007-08)
Chelsea Edwards (2009-10)
Madi Hess (2014-15)

Men's Golf
Surya Prakash (2010)
Tanner Landry (2016)
Levi Pettit (2018)

Women's Golf
Kristine Chen (2009)
Hailey Hollas (2018)

Softball
Amber Griffin (2008)
Stefanie Polderman (2017, 2018)

Men's Tennis
Ryan Morton (2018)

Women's Tennis
Rachel Houston (2012)
Auvi Tran (2015)
Kathy Joseph (2018)