The Big 12 Conference has announced its 2021 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.
2021 Big 12 Men’s Cross Country Scholar-Athlete of the Year
Thomas Pollard, Iowa State, Sr., Ames, Iowa
- Holds a 4.00 GPA as an information systems and business major, having participated in every event this season.
- All-American who became the first five-time All-Big 12 runner in Conference history by finishing seventh at the Big 12 Championship.
- Helped Iowa State to finish second at the NCAA Championship with an individual 21st-place finish.
- Six-time Academic All-Big 12 Cross Country First Team selection and 2020 CoSIDA Academic All-American.
2021 Big 12 Women’s Cross Country Scholar-Athlete of the Year
Cailie Logue, Iowa State, Sr., Erie, Kan.
- Kinesiology and health major with a 3.98 grade point average who participated in 100 percent of competitions.
- Finished fourth at the NCAA Cross Country Championship, earning her fourth All-America honor.
- Three-time Big 12 Cross Country Scholar-Athlete of the Year and four-time Academic All-Big 12 Cross Country First Team selection.
2021 Big 12 Football Scholar-Athlete of the Year
Charlie Kolar, Iowa State, R-Sr., Norman, Okla.
- Majoring in finance with a 4.00 GPA and had 88 percent participation.
- Ranks fifth in the Big 12 with 723 receiving yards and tied for fifth with five receiving touchdowns, while setting Iowa State records for single-season receptions and reception yards by a tight end.
- Earned the 2021 Campbell Trophy for combined academic success and football performance.
- Tabbed as the CoSIDA Academic All-America Team Member of the Year for Division I football.
- A four-time Academic All-Big 12 selection and three-time CoSIDA Academic All-American.
2021 Big 12 Soccer Scholar-Athlete of the Year
Kirsten Davis, Texas Tech, Sr., St. Louis, Mo.
- In graduate school for interdisciplinary studies while holding a 4.00 GPA and 95 percent participation this season.
- Named the Big 12 Offensive Player of the Year, leading the league with eight goals in Conference play. She received All-Region and All-America plaudits from the United Soccer Coaches.
- Four-time Academic All-Big 12 First Team award winner.
2021 Big 12 Volleyball Scholar-Athlete of the Year
Jenny Mosser, Kansas, Sr., Lakeville, Minn.
- Pursuing a master’s degree in social work while holding a 4.00 GPA and competing in all 30 of KU’s matches.
- Led the Jayhawks with 388 points as she earned All-Big 12 Second Team and AVCA All-Region recognition.
- Named to the 2021 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.