RICHARDSON, Texas - UT Dallas graduate students Karen Alvarez and Trent Sakakini were among the 20 graduating student-athletes from the 10 American Southwest Conference members who received the league's 2022-23 Scholar-Athlete Medals of Honor.

The Scholar-Athlete Medal of Honor is the highest honor one can achieve as an American Southwest Conference student-athlete. Presented by the Faculty Athletics Representatives, the Scholar-Athlete Medal of Honor is awarded to one male and one female member of each member institution's graduating class who has compiled the most outstanding record in academics, athletics, and leadership over their collegiate career.
 
Recipients of the 2022-23 ASC Scholar-Athlete Medal of Honor represent 11 different conference sports. These individuals have earned academic honors, were accepted to graduate-level programs, are members of academic honor societies and campus organizations; competed on conference title teams; earned Academic All-America, ASC All-Academic, Distinguished Scholar-Athlete and All-Conference honors; and who served as volunteers, tutors and mentors within the campus and community.

Sakakini, from Frisco, Texas was the President of the Comets' Student-Athlete Advisory Committee. He was the 2022 ASC Outstanding Track Athlete and High Point Athlete, having won five ASC Track & Field Championships events – 800 meters (2022, 2023), 1,500 meters (2022) and 3,000-meter steeplechase (2022, 2023). Sakakini was a two-time All-ASC First Team, three-time ASC Track Athlete of the Week, on the 2022-23 ASC Distinguished Scholar-Athlete Team and and a two-time Academic All-ASC in track. He holds UT Dallas program records in 800 meters, 1,500 meters, and steeplechase. In cross country, Sakakini has been All-ASC five times and is a three-time Academic All-ASC selection. He was runner-up at the 2020 ASC Championship. Sakakini is earning his masters in Mechanical Engineering,

Alvarez, from Katy, Texas, the prestigious NCAA Elite 90 award three consecutive years. She claimed the 2023 ASC Championship Individual Medalist and is a two-time ASC All-Tournament team selection. She was the 2022 and 2023 ASC Golfer of the Year. Alvarez is a three-time All-ASC First Team selection and was WGCA All-America Honorable Mention in 2023. She was a three-time WGCA All-Region selection and earned 2020 WGCA All-American Scholar honors. Alvarez was the ASC Golfer of the Week 12 times in her career. She holds career school records in scoring average, tournament wins and birdies. Alvarez is earning her masters in Marketing.

Class of 2023 Scholar-Athlete Medal of Honor Recipients