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USC's Cockrell, Washington's Stanovsek named Pac-12 Track & Field top scholar-athletes

May 16, 2021

LOS ANGELES – USC’s Anna Cockrell and WASHINGTON’s Mick Stanovsek were named the 2021 Pac-12 Women’s and Men’s Track & Field Scholar-Athletes of the Year, the league office announced Sunday prior to the start of the final day at the Conference Championships. The award, which is presented in each of the 24 sports the Pac-12 sponsors, was established to honor collegiate student-athletes who are standouts both academically and in their sports discipline.

Currently pursuing her master’s in public policy, Cockrell finished her undergraduate studies in political science and communication with a 3.98 GPA. The defending NCAA champion and two-time defending Pac-12 champion in the 400 hurdles, Cockrell will go for her third consecutive Conference title in the event tonight at 5 p.m. PT and will also be in the final of the 100 hurdles at 3:50 p.m. PT. She ranks third on USC's all-time list in both the 100 and 400 hurdles and has also been a part of three of the Women of Troy’s 10 fastest 4x400 relays all-time. Cockrell, a Dean's List student and the founder of the United Black Student-Athlete Association at USC, was named the 2020 CoSIDA Academic All-America Women's Team Member of the Year for Track & Field.

Stanovsek, who graduated with his bachelor’s in cinema and media studies and a 3.85 GPA, is currently working on his master’s in jurisprudence. The 2020 NCAA Indoor Track & Field Elite 90 Award winner and CoSIDA First Team Academic All-American, is an eight-time All-American on the track and two-time NCAA Outdoor Championships finalist in the 1,500 (2018, 2019). His 1,500 PR of 3:39.49 is the third-fastest in program history and he’s also the No. 3 miler in Husky history at 3:57.88. Stanovsek is in this afternoon’s final of the 1,500 at 3:20 p.m. PT and is also in the final of the 800 at 4:30 p.m. PT.

In order to be eligible for the Pac-12 Scholar-Athlete of the Year award, student-athletes must be a senior (in athletics eligibility), on track to receive a degree, have a cumulative grade-point average of 3.0 or higher, participate in at least 50 percent of the scheduled contests in the sport and have a minimum one year in residence at the institution. Each Pac-12 institution may nominate one individual per sport, and the winners are selected by a committee of Pac-12 staff members at the conclusion of each sport’s regular season. The athletics accomplishments of the nominees are a consideration in voting for the award.

A Scholar-Athlete of the Year is named in each of the Pac-12’s 24 sponsored sports: baseball, men’s basketball, women’s basketball, beach volleyball, men’s cross country, women’s cross country, football, men’s golf, women’s golf, women’s gymnastics, women’s lacrosse, men’s rowing, women’s rowing, men’s soccer, women’s soccer, softball, men’s swimming & diving, women’s swimming & diving, men’s tennis, women’s tennis, men’s track & field, women’s track & field, women’s volleyball, and wrestling. The award was first established during the 2008-09 academic year.

ALSO NOMINATED:
Men – Isaac Desjarlais, ARIZONA; Ben Harper, CALIFORNIA; Caleb Penner, COLORADO; James West, OREGON; Alek Parsons, STANFORD; Matthew Katnik, USC.
Women – Karla Teran, ARIZONA; Brie Oakley, CALIFORNIA; Sage Hurta, COLORADO; Rhesa Foster, OREGON; Lindsay McShane, OREGON STATE; Ella Donaghu, STANFORD; Paige Carter, UCLA; Poppy Tank, UTAH; Katie Rainsberger, WASHINGTON      

Pac-12 Track & Field Scholar-Athletes of the Year
2020-21: Mick Stanovsek, WASH; Anna Cockrell, USC
2019-20: N/A
2018-19: Harrison Williams, STAN; Kaitlyn Benner, COLO
2017-18: Ben Saarel, COLO; Alyssa Thompson, ARIZ
2016-17: CJ Albertson, ASU; Keyasia Tibbs, ASU
2015-16: Justin Brinkley, STAN; Jaide Stepter, USC
2014-15: Luke Lefebure, STAN; Jessica Tonn, STAN
2013-14: Lawi Lalang, ARIZ; Laura Roesler, ORE
2012-13: Nick Happe, ASU; Jordan Hasay, ORE
2011-12: Chris Derrick, STAN; Brianne Thiesen, ORE
2010-11: Elliott Heath, STAN; Katie Niehaus, STAN
2009-10: Ryan Whiting, ASU; Kaisha Baker, ORE
2008-09: Galen Rupp, ORE; Sarah Stevens, ASU
2007-08: Russell Brown, STAN; April Kubishta, ASU