West Virginia swept the Big 12 Conference’s Scholar-Athlete of the Year awards in swimming & diving with a pair of seniors holding perfect 4.0 GPAs.
David Palley and Haily VandePoel earned the honors, the conference announced earlier this month (read more here). Though the conference only features three men’s and five women’s swimming & diving programs, West Virginia sweeping the awards is extra impressive considering both student-athletes hold perfect 4.0 grade point averages.
Palley studied civil engineering at West Virginia while swimming backstroke for the Mountaineers. He was a B finalist in both backstrokes at the Big 12 Championships.
VandePoel was a diver studying exercise physiology. She finished in the top 25 on both springboards at the Zone Championships.
Both student-athletes were seniors this past season and are just wrapping up their collegiate careers.
The Big 12 has given out a Scholar-Athlete of the Year award in each of its sports since 2013. The award goes to a junior or senior with a grade point average of 3.2 or better. Candidates must also compete in at least 60% of their team’s competitions and have been with their school for more than one season.