Marcus Mariota of the UO football team and Laura Roesler of the track and field program headlined the honorees at the athletic department's 2014 scholar-athlete awards ceremony, held earlier this week.
Mariota, a junior quarterback, received the Emerald Athletic Award, which honors a UO student-athlete who is a senior academically on the basis of achievement in athletics, service and scholarship. Mariota also received the Herb Yamanaka Oregon Pride Award, which honors comprehensive individual development and also leadership within a team.
Roesler received the Jackson Athletic Award, the female athletes' counterpart to the Emerald Athletic Award. She'll be at Hayward Field in two weeks looking to add an NCAA Outdoor title in the 800 meters to the Indoor title she won earlier this year.
Also nominated for the Emerald Athletic Award wereMike Berry (track and field), Robin Cambier (tennis),Taylor Hart (football) and Aaron Payne (baseball). The other Jackson nominees were Erin Block (acrobatics and tumbling),Caroline Federighi (lacrosse), Erika McCool (lacrosse), Alexa Peterson (softball) and Lauren Plum (volleyball).
Basketball all-American Jillian Alleyne was honored with the Doyle Higdon Memorial Award, which recognizes an outstanding sophomore student-athlete.
The Karen Nelson Award, given to an outstanding senior involved in the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee, was awarded to lacrosse player Chelsea Randel. She was recognized for helping engage teammates in community service projects.
Chris Stubbs (track and field) and Ariana Williams (volleyball) received the Twinkle Ann Morton Award, for dedication to both athletics and academics, and a willingness to utilize available resources.
Awards for the highest GPAs by graduating seniors were given to football player Koa Ka'ai (3.75) and tennis player Rabea Stuekemann (4.10). Both tennis teams were recognized for outstanding team GPAs.
In all, 153 student-athletes — or about 30 percent of the department — were recognized for earning a 3.0 cumulative GPA, or having a 3.0 for the previous three terms consecutively.
- by Rob Moseley, GoDucks.com