2019 Fall Scholar-Athletes of the Year Announced
The Big 12 Conference has announced its 2019 Fall Scholar-Athletes of the Year. The following student-athletes have been selected as award winners for their respective sports based on a vote of each sport head coaching group.
2019 Big 12 Men’s Cross Country Scholar-Athlete of the Year
Thomas Pollard, Iowa State, Sr., Ames, Iowa
- Currently holds a 3.97 GPA and participated in 100 percent of competitions this fall, as he earns a degree in supply chain management/statistics.
- Helped guide ISU to a Big 12 team title and fourth-place finish at the NCAA Championship.
- Placed 15th individually at the Big 12 Cross Country Championship to earn All-Big 12 honors.
2019 Big 12 Women’s Cross Country CO-Scholar-Athlete of the Year
Cailie Logue, Iowa State, Jr., Erie, Kan.
- Kinesiology major with a 3.98 grade point average that participated in 66 percent of competitions.
- Two-time Big 12 Women’s Runner of the Year (2018 and 2019) after capturing the 2019 Big 12 Championship and Midwest Regional individual titles.
- Finished 15th at the 2019 NCAA Cross Country Championship, earning All-America status.
2019 Big 12 Women’s Cross Country CO-Scholar-Athlete of the Year
Taylor Somers, Oklahoma State, Jr., Omaha, Neb.
- Presently holds a 4.00 grade-point average as a psychology major that participated in 75 percent of meets.
- Led OSU to a team title at 2019 Big 12 Cross Country Championship, placing second individually and earning All-Big 12 honors.
- Finished 18th at 2019 NCAA Championship to garner All-America honors.
2019 Big 12 Football Scholar-Athlete of the Year
Adam Holtorf, Kansas State, Sr., Seward, Neb.
- Majoring in agribusiness with a 3.916 GPA and participated in every game.
- 2018 and 2019 CoSIDA Academic All-America First Team honoree and finalist for the 2019 William V. Campbell Trophy, given to college football’s top-scholar-athlete.
- Started every game for the Wildcats at center, helping K-State to an 8-4 mark and earning All-Big 12 Honorable Mention.
2019 Big 12 Soccer Scholar-Athlete of the Year
Kaylee Dao, Oklahoma, Sr., Tulsa, Okla.
- Earning a graduate degree in human relations while holding a 4.0 GPA and 100 percent participation this season.
- Garnered 2019 CoSIDA Academic All-America First Team and Senior CLASS Award All-America First Team honors.
- Named All-Big 12 First Team for third season in a row with a unanimous selection in 2019 after scoring a career-high 13 goals, including five game-winners.
2019 Big 12 Volleyball Scholar-Athlete of the Year
Shelly Stafford, Baylor, Gr., Cypress, Texas
- Pursuing a masters in Sport Management with a 3.80 grade point average and 100 percent participation.
- First back-to-back Scholar-Athlete of the Year Award winner in program history.
- Two-time unanimous All-Big 12 First Team selection after leading the Bears in hitting percentage (.375) and helping BU to a No. 1 overall seed in the NCAA Championship.
The Big 12 Conference established its Scholar-Athlete of the Year Award in 2012-13. A recipient is named in each conference-sponsored sport. Every Big 12 institution nominates one individual per sport with the winners selected by a vote of the league head coaches for that sport, who are not allowed to vote for their own student-athletes. Scholar-Athlete of the Year nominees must be a junior or senior (athletic and academic standing), have a cumulative grade point average of 3.20 or higher, participate in at least 20 percent of the team’s scheduled contests and have a minimum of one year in residence at the institution.