|
|
|
Kovacek Named MWC Female Student-Athlete of the Year
Senior women's tennis player earns MWC's highest honor.
June 29, 2006 University of New Mexico senior women's tennis player Maja Kovacek was named the Mountain West Conference Female Student-Athlete of the Year today. Established by the MWC Joint Council in 1999, the Student-Athlete of the Year award is the highest honor presented to a student-athlete by the league. The award is bestowed annually to the male and female who best exemplify the term "student-athlete" by achieving excellence in academics, community involvement and athletics. Criteria for the Student-Athlete of the Year award requires that nominees demonstrate leadership, character and conduct on and off the playing field. In addition to superior athletic achievement, candidates must have a minimum 3.5 grade point average. The winners receive a $2,500 post-graduate scholarship. Kovacek carried a double-major in psychology and sociology while completing an outstanding tennis career with the Lobos. She played at the No. 1 position in singles and doubles for most of her career and became the only two-time all-America selection in New Mexico women's tennis history. A two-time MWC Player of the Year and four-time all-MWC honoree, she was nationally ranked in singles play four straight years at UNM. A native of Pula, Croatia, Kovacek earned Academic all-MWC accolades four years and was one of only eight regional winners for the Arthur Ashe Sportsmanship & Leadership Award. She was recently named to the ESPN The Magazine Academic all-District second-team. Her list of accomplishments includes ITA Rookie of the Year, UNM Female Student-Athlete of the Year, ITA Scholar Athlete and MWC Scholar Athlete. She also volunteered for several community service activities, including the Kids After School Sports Program and Special Olympics. Air Force swimmer Matt Karmondy was named the MWC Male Student-Athlete of the Year.
|
|
