June 12, 2007

Irving, Texas (SMU) - Three SMU student-athletes have recognized by Conference USA as Scholar Athletes of the Year in an announcement on Tuesday by Conference USA Commissioner Britton Banowsky, as approved by the Board of Directors. Mustang recipients are Donatas Rackauskas (men's basketball), Olivia O'Rear (women's soccer) and Natalia Bubien (women's tennis).

C-USA Scholar Athlete of the Year awards are presented to the top student-athletes in each conference-sponsored sport. The award is based on academic achievement (GPA), athletic achievement and service.

Rice produced a conference-best five Scholar Athlete Award winners, Tulsa had four winners and SMU had three student-athletes selected. Ten of C-USA's 12 institutions produced at least one scholar athlete winner, with co-winners named in baseball, women's basketball, women's soccer, women's tennis and men's track & field. Five student-athletes were repeat winners, as indicated below on the complete list:

2006-07 SCHOLAR ATHLETE AWARD WINNERS: 
Baseball        Josh Stirneman, Houston
        Trey Sutton, Southern Miss
Men's Basketball        Donatas Rackauskas, SMU
Women's Basketball      Kristin Chaney, Southern Miss
        Jami Montagnino, Tulane
Men's Cross Country     Aaron Robson, Rice
Women's Cross Country   Marissa Daniels, Rice
Football        Paul Smith, Tulsa
Men's Golf      *Sam Korbe, Tulsa
Women's Golf    Michelle Williams, East Carolina
Men's Soccer    Jeremy Drake, UAB
Women's Soccer  Melissa Abraham, UTEP
        Olivia O'Rear, SMU
Softball        *Jenna Kubesch, Memphis
Women's Swimming & Diving       Szintia Szanto, Houston
Men's Tennis    Arnau Brugues, Tulsa
Women's Tennis  Natalia Bubien, SMU
        Santie Delport, Tulsa
        Dominique Karas, Rice
        Christina Wieser, Memphis
Men's Track and Field   *Mickael Hanany, UTEP
        Luke Stadel, Rice
Women's Track and Field *Callie Wells, Rice
Volleyball      *Heidi Krug, East Carolina
* Repeat winner