Cross Country

2020 Fall Scholar-Athletes of the Year Announced

The Big 12 Conference has announced its 2020 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.
 
2020 Big 12 Men’s Cross Country Scholar-Athlete of the Year
Ryan Smeeton, Oklahoma State, Sr., Calgary, Alberta, Canada
  • Currently holds a 3.70 GPA and participated in 100 percent of competitions this fall, as he earns a degree in  mechanical engineering.
  • Finished eighth at the 2020 Big 12 Cross Country Championship, earning All-Big 12 honors and guiding the Cowboys to their 10th league title.
  • Three-time Academic All-Big 12 Cross Country First Team selection. 
2020 Big 12 Women’s Cross Country Scholar-Athlete of the Year
Cailie Logue, Iowa State, Sr., Erie, Kan.
  • Kinesiology major with a 3.98 grade point average that participated in 100 percent of competitions.
  • Became the second Big 12 student-athlete to win the Big 12 individual title in three consecutive years with a run of 20:00.5 in the 6K at the 2020 Big 12 Championship. Tabbed the Big 12 Runner of the Year for the third time in her career.
  • Three-time Academic All-Big 12 Cross Country First Team recipient.
2020 Big 12 Football co-Scholar-Athlete of the Year
Kene Nwangwu, Iowa State, R-Sr., Frisco, Texas
  • Majoring in mechanical engineering with a 3.76 GPA and participated in every game.
  • Ranked third in the Big 12 and 11th nationally with 29.1 yards per kickoff return en route to earning All-Big 12 Honorable Mention. His 2,443 career kick return yardage ranks third all-time in the Conference.
  • Collected his third Academic All-Big 12 First Team award in 2020.
2020 Big 12 Football co-Scholar-Athlete of the Year
Sam Ehlinger, Texas, Sr., Austin, Texas
  • Marketing major with a 3.42 GPA and participated in each game.
  • All-Big 12 Second Team honoree. Ranked nationally in the top-15 in four categories including  No. 3 in points responsible for (202), and No. 3 in points responsible for per game (22.4). His 93 career TDs are tied for No. 7 all-time in the Big 12 with Patrick Mahomes.
  • Three-time Academic All-Big 12 performer.
2020 Big 12 Soccer co-Scholar-Athlete of the Year
Brookelynn Entz, Kansas State, Sr., Newton, Kan.
  • Psychology major while holding a 3.90 GPA and 89 percent participation this season.
  • Collected All-Big 12 First Team honors at midfielder in the fall, as she tied for second in the Conference in goals scored (5) and third in points (10). Holds 28 career, season and single-game school records at K-State.
  • Three-time Academic All-Big 12 First Team award winner.
2020 Big 12 Soccer co-Scholar-Athlete of the Year
Emily Strouphauer, Texas, Sr., Round Rock, Texas
  • Pursuing a degree in biology with a 3.98 grade point average and 100 percent participation.
  • Returned to the pitch after suffering an injury in 2019, recording six shots and playing in all nine matches for the Longhorns this Fall.
  • Named to the 2020 Academic All-Big 12 First Team.
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.