Utah State recognizes 241 student-athletes at annual Whitesides Luncheon – Cache Valley Daily
LOGAN, Utah – Utah State’s athletics department recognized 241 student-athletes at the 29th annual Joe E. and Elma Whitesides Scholar-Athlete Luncheon on Tuesday. To be eligible for the honor, student-athletes must have a cumulative 3.2 grade point average or have posted a 3.2 GPA during the last two semesters. The top honoree during the luncheon and earning the Joe E. Whitesides Award was softball senior Sydnee Smith, who will graduate in the spring with a combined GPA of 3.98 in kinesiology. Utah State also handed out team honors and women’s volleyball was named the top academic team with less than 20 members, while women’s cross country was the top academic team with more than 20 members. Men’s tennis was recognized as the most-improved academic team. Men’s basketball senior Justin Bean and volleyball senior Corinne Larsen received the Wayne Estes Memorial Award, which is presented to a male and female graduating senior who excels in scholarship, citizenship and leadership. Women’s basketball junior Shyla Latone was given the Aggie Achievement Award, while Kadie Kunz and Daniel Ashby were recognized as the Outstanding Mentor and Outstanding Tutor of the Year. Utah State academic advisor Mykel Beorchia was presented with the Meet The Challenge Award