June 24, 2009
LAS VEGAS - Just one day after having 12 student-athletes named to the Spring 2009 Mountain West Conference All-Academic Team, Rebel softball had a program-best eight recognized for the 2008-09 MWC Scholar-Athlete Award. Four of those Rebels (Brittany Bolinger, Jaci Hull, Marissa Nichols and Brittany Meade) are repeat selections, while the other four are first-time honorees.
This year's tally surpasses the previous record of six that was amassed twice before during the 2004-05 and 2005-06 campaigns.
Bolinger, who earned her fourth academic all-conference team nod yesterday, led the way for the softball team with her fourth scholar-athlete award today. She is also a two-time member of ESPN The Magazine's Academic All-District Eight Team, as she was a first-team member in 2009 and second-team selection in 2008.
Hull, a four-time academic all-conference team member, earned her third scholar-athlete award.
Nichols and Meade were both named to their second scholar-athlete award. Nichols is a four-time academic all-conference member, while Meade has achieved the feat five times.
Rounding out UNLV's eight members are Kara Bendt, Tara Bendt, Korin Cuico and Amber Petersen.
The MWC Scholar-Athlete Award is the highest academic honor bestowed by the Conference. To be eligible for selection, student-athletes must have completed at least two academic terms at the member institution, while maintaining a cumulative grade point average of 3.5 or better, and have participated in varsity competition in an NCAA-sponsored sport.
Student-Athlete Year GPA MajorKara Bendt JR 3.51 Communication StudiesTara Bendt JR 3.58 CommunicationsBrittany Bolinger SR 3.75 Kinesiological StudiesKorin Cuico FR 3.71 Kinesiological StudiesJaci Hull JR 3.56 Kinesiological StudiesBrittany Meade SR 4.00 Sports Education LeadershipMarissa Nichols JR 3.87 School CounselingAmber Petersen FR 4.00 Elementary Education
