RICHARDSON, Texas - Three UT Dallas student-athletes were recognized as Distinguished Scholar-Athletes of the Year as the American Southwest Conference announced Distinguished Scholar-Athlete Teams on Thursday.
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Karen Alvarez (women's golf),
Graeme Maclean (men's cross country) and
Rebecca Jackson (women's tennis) were among the 18 athletes from the ASC to be recognized for the 2022-23 academic year. Alvarez is now a three-time winner of the award.
In addition,
Ryan Vera (baseball),
Hunter Stevens (men's basketball),
Cierra Trigg (women's basketball),
Rebeca Betanzo (women's cross country),
Daniel Shofner (men's golf),
Kayson Marriott (men's soccer),
Peyton Guidry (women's soccer),
Emilie Hoelscher (softball),
Jed De Luna (men's tennis),
Trent Sakakini (men's track & field),
Sage Herrera (women's track & field) and
Emma Sevening (volleyball) were on the Distinguished Scholar-Athlete Teams.
Alvarez became the fourth-ever UTD women's golfer to be recognized two-years ago and is just the fourth three-time recipient in the history of the award in any sport.
She is a three-time Elite 90 winner and was the College Sports Communicators Academic All-America of the Year. Alvarez was CSC Academic All-District, ASC Co-Golfer of the Year, WGCA All-American Honorable Mention, and All-Region. Alvarez was an Individual Medalist at ASC Women's Golf Championship. She averaged a 76.28 with a low round of 69. Alvarez won three tournaments and four more top three finishes. Alvarez graduated with a 4.00 in Marketing.
Maclean is the third Comet men's cross country runner to receive the award. He was the medalist at ASC Championship, breaking the school and conference meet 8k time in 25:34.6. He earned All-ASC First Team and was also All-ASC First Team in track & field. Maclean was on the 2020-21 ASC Men's Track & Field Distinguished Scholar-Athlete Team and was ASC Runner of the Week in the fall. Maclean holds a 3.88 GPA with a major in Computer Science.
Jackson represents the fifth overall winner and seventh total Distinguished Scholar-Athlete of the Year for UTD women's tennis. She was the ASC East Division Most Valuable Player and was able to qualify for All-ASC with the help of being an All-ASC East First Team selection. Jackson was a CSC Academic All-District selection and ASC East Player of the Week. She helped the team to a conference championship and a Second Round appearance in the NCAA Division III Championship. Jackson was on the ASC All-Tournament Team. She posted a 13-4 record at No. 3 singles and tied for most doubles wins in UTD history with a 16-4 mark at No. 1. Jackson supports a 4.00 GPA and is a Neuroscience major.
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 10 ASC member institutions and three affiliate members select a Distinguished Scholar-Athlete in each sport.
