Conference

2023 Winter Scholar-Athletes of the Year Announced

Irving, Texas - The Big 12 Conference has announced its 2023 Winter 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.

Big 12 Men’s Basketball Scholar-Athlete of the Year
Tanner Groves, Oklahoma, Sr., Spokane, Wash.
  • Pursuing a masters degree in Organizational Leadership with a 3.92 GPA and 100% participation.
  • Averaged 10.2 points and 7.2 rebounds, recording a team-high six double-doubles. 
  • Two-time CSC Academic All-America selection, including a third-team nod in 2023, and was an Academic All-Big 12 First Team selection. 
Big 12 Women’s Basketball Scholar-Athlete of the Year
Bryn Gerlich, Texas Tech, Gr., Colleyville, Texas
  • Major in Human Sciences with a 3.65 GPA and participated in 97.1 percent of this year’s contests.
  • Averaged a career-best 9.1 points per game and led the Lady Raiders with 104 assists.
  • Two-time Academic All-Big 12 honoree (2022 and 2023) at Texas Tech.
Big 12 Equestrian Scholar-Athlete of the Year
Jojo Roberson, Oklahoma State, Sr., Stratford, Okla.
  • Finance major with a 4.00 GPA and participated in every competition this season.
  • A second-team All-American in Horsemanship along with an honorable mention nod in reining.
  • Three-time Academic All-Big 12 First Team selection (2021, 2022 and 2023).
Big 12 Gymnastics Scholar-Athlete of the Year
Katherine LeVasseur, Oklahoma, Jr., San Antonio, Texas
  • Majoring in Health and Exercise Science with a 3.87 GPA and 100 percent participation.
  • Big 12 Event Specialist of the Year who earned NCAA All-American status for the second consecutive season.
  • A two-time member of the Academic All-Big 12 First Team (2022 and 2023).
Big 12 Men’s Swimming & Diving Scholar-Athlete of the Year
Bryce Flynn, TCU, Jr., Austin, Texas
  • Engineering major with a 4.00 GPA and 100 percent participation.
  • Placed fourth in the 1650-yard freestyle at the Big 12 Championship with a time of 15:52.35.
  • Named a CSC Academic All-District Selection and helped the Horned Frogs to Scholar All-American Team status.
Big 12 Women’s Swimming & Diving Scholar-Athlete of the Year
Emma Hultquist, TCU, Sr., Rockwall, Texas
  • Psychology major that holds a 3.94 GPA and 100 percent participation this season.
  • Placed fourth in the 200-yard freestyle with a time of 1:47.88 at the Big 12 Championship.
  • Named a CSC Academic All-District Selection and helped the Horned Frogs to Scholar All-American Team status.
Big 12 Wrestling Scholar-Athlete of the Year
Jared Franek, North Dakota State, Sr., Harwood, N.D.
  • Pursuing a master of business administration with a 4.00 GPA and 100 percent participation.
  • Won the Big 12 Championship in the 157-pound weight class, and finished fourth at the NCAA Championship.
  • Four-time Academic All-Big 12 First Team honoree (2021, 2022 and 2023).
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.