LOGAN, Utah -

Utah State's athletics department recognized 195 student-athletes for achieving a 3.2 grade point average at the 24th annual Joe E. and Elma Whitesides Scholar-Athlete Luncheon 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.

In all, approximately 53 percent of USU's student-athletes earned a 3.2 GPA to qualify for the awards.

The top honoree during the luncheon was senior track athlete Devin Wright, continuing a streak of seven straight and 10 of the last 11 honorees from the track & field program.

Furthermore, 16 of the past 26 recipients of the top individual honor have been from track & field. During that time, the only males to win the award have been Mike Puzey from men's basketball in 2003, Tyler Ellis from men's track who shared the award with Rebecca Anderson and Alison Taylor in 2009, and Daniel Howell from men's track who shared the award with Katelyn Heiner in 2012, along with Wright in 2017.

Wright (Monticello, Utah/Monticello HS) will graduate from Utah State this spring with a bachelor of science degree in biology, with an emphasis in human biology. Wright, whose cumulative GPA is a near perfect 3.98, will also graduate with two minors in Spanish and chemistry.

The son of Doug and Lisa Wright was recently named a finalist for the NCAA Walter Byers Graduate Scholarship. Annually, one male and one female is awarded the $24,000 scholarship in recognition of outstanding academic achievement and potential success in graduate study. Wright is one of six finalists who will be interviewed at the NCAA Headquarters in Indianapolis, Ind., for this prestigious award.

Overall, Wright is a multiple Whitesides Scholar-Athlete recipient and has earned academic all-conference accolades two times and Mountain West Scholar-Athlete honors twice. He has also garnered third-team CoSIDA Academic All-American (2016) accolades and first-team CoSIDA Academic All-District (2015, 2016) honors, to go along with being named to the USTFCCCA All-Academic Team (2015, 2016).

As a student-athlete, Wright is a member of Utah State's outdoor track & field team, capturing the javelin title with a mark of 62.17m (204-00) at the 2016 Mountain West Outdoor Championships. He also garnered second-team all-WAC honors after finishing sixth in the javelin with a throw of 55.70m (182-09) during the 2012 outdoor season.

Wright has competed in the javelin at the NCAA West Preliminary Championships three times during his career, placing as high as 42nd in 2016 with a mark of 55.29m (181-04). He recorded his personal-best mark of 64.12m (210-04), which ranks eighth all-time in school history, at the 2016 BYU-hosted Clarence Robison Invitational.

This season, Wright has captured three javelin crowns, including back-to-back titles at the Utah State-hosted Mark Faldmo Invitational (4/14) and the Stanford-hosted Cardinal Classic (4/22).

"The award is wonderful. To see how many other people have won this award, just the significance is very humbling," said Wright. "I am honored to reach this accolade. It's a goal that I set for myself and I'm happy that I was able to achieve it. I couldn't have done it without the support of my parents, friends, coaches and teachers."

Utah State also handed out team honors and women's tennis was named the top academic team with less than 20 members. Women's cross country was the top academic team with more than 20 members and men's basketball was the most improved academic team.

Gymnast Hayley Sanzotti and track & field athlete Landon Watts both received the Wayne Estes Memorial Award, which is presented to a female and male graduating senior who excels in scholarship, citizenship and leadership.

Dr. Ed Heath, who is a professor of kinesiology and the USU Faculty Athletics Representative, was presented the Meet The Challenge Award, while Adam Berry and Braxton Davis were both given the Outstanding Tutor Award, while Josef Chase was given the Outstanding Mentor Award for their work with USU's student-athletes.

The Whitesides honors started in 1953 by former USU athlete, coach and athletics director Joe E. Whitesides.

2017 UTAH STATE WHITESIDES SPECIAL HONORS
Whitesides Winner ââ'¬" Devin Wright
Wayne Estes Memorial Award ââ'¬" Hayley Sanzotti and Landon Watts
Meet The Challenge ââ'¬" Dr. Ed Heath
Outstanding Tutors ââ'¬" Adam Berry and Braxton Davis
Outstanding Mentor ââ'¬" Josef Chase

Top Teams (20-plus members)
1. Women's Cross Country
2. Women's Track & Field
3. Soccer

Top Teams (less than 20 members)
1. Women's Tennis
2. Volleyball
3. Men's Cross Country

Most Improved Teams
1. Men's Basketball
2. Volleyball
3. Men's Track / Men's Tennis

2017 UTAH STATE WHITESIDES HONOREES
Jon. M. Huntsman School of Business
Austin Bass, Men's Tennis ââ'¬" Economics
Austin Cheney, Football ââ'¬" Business Administration
Sara Cobb, Soccer ââ'¬" Accounting/Masters
Ethan Cortazzo, Football ââ'¬" Economics
Jenny De Boer, Soccer ââ'¬" Marketing
Sabrina Demerath, Women's Tennis ââ'¬" Management Information Systems
Trevin Dorius, Men's Basketball ââ'¬" Business Administration
Dalton Forsythe, Football ââ'¬" Finance & Economics
Baron Gajkowski, Football ââ'¬" Finance
Darren Harman, Men's Track & Field ââ'¬" Business Administration
Adam Hendrickson, Men's Track & Field ââ'¬" Business Administration
Landon Horne, Football ââ'¬" Finance & Economics
Tanner Jenson, Golf ââ'¬" Finance
Connor Jones, Men's Track & Field ââ'¬" Finance
Derek Larsen, Football ââ'¬" Finance
Grace McGuire, Soccer ââ'¬" Business Administration
Sam Merrill, Men's Basketball ââ'¬" Accounting
Andrew Nakajima, Men's Tennis ââ'¬" Marketing
DJ Nelson, Football ââ'¬" Business Administration
Sam Nelson, Men's Track & Field ââ'¬" Business Administration
Danielle Nowers, Soccer ââ'¬" Marketing
Lauren O'Brien, Volleyball ââ'¬" Accounting
Lucy Octave, Women's Tennis ââ'¬" Marketing
Elliot Willis, Men's Track & Field ââ'¬" Business Administration
Abel Porter, Men's Basketball ââ'¬" Business Administration
Kelsey Richins, Women's Track & Field ââ'¬" Management Information Systems & Accounting
Jayne Robison-Merrill, Soccer ââ'¬" Business Administration
Zach Swenson, Football ââ'¬" Business Administration
Jack Swindells, Men's Tennis ââ'¬" Economics
Chase Thurgood, Men's Track & Field ââ'¬" Accounting
Ekaterina Tugarinova, Women's Tennis ââ'¬" Economics & Marketing
Tyler Weese, Football ââ'¬" Finance & Economics
Ashley Wesenberg, Volleyball ââ'¬" Business Administration

S.J. & Jessie E. Quinney College of Natural Resources
Maggie Hallerud, Women's Track & Field ââ'¬" Wildlife Science
Anna Maki, Women's Track & Field ââ'¬" Environmental Studies

College of Engineering
Zack Bell, Men's Track & Field ââ'¬" Civil Engineering
Alan Borschel, Men's Track & Field ââ'¬" Civil Engineering
Joanna Boyd, Women's Track & Field ââ'¬" Mechanical Engineering
Ben Bracken, Men's Track & Field ââ'¬" Mechanical Engineering
Diogo Brito, Men's Basketball ââ'¬" Mechanical Engineering
Braedin Butler, Men's Track & Field ââ'¬" Mechanical Engineering
Matthew Calvin, Men's Track & Field ââ'¬" Mechanical Engineering
Hayden Ewer, Men's Track & Field ââ'¬" Electrical Engineering
Spencer Fehlberg, Men's Track & Field ââ'¬" Mechanical Engineering
David Hirschmann, Men's Track & Field ââ'¬" Mechanical Engineering
Jaydon Lord, Men's Track & Field ââ'¬" Electrical Engineering
Kiera Miller, Gymnastics ââ'¬" Biological Engineering
Amanda Stoudt, Women's Track & Field ââ'¬" Biological Engineering

Emma Eccles Jones College of Education & Human Services
Breann Bate, Women's Track & Field ââ'¬"Exercise Science
Kacey Erickson, Soccer ââ'¬" Health Education & Promotion
Rachel Brewster, Women's Basketball ââ'¬" Exercise Science
Katie Brown, Gymnastics ââ'¬" Pre-Physical Therapy
Kashley Carter, Women's Track & Field ââ'¬" Pre-Physical Therapy
Emma Clark, Soccer ââ'¬" Exercise Science
Mark Crandall, Men's Track & Field ââ'¬" Exercise Science
Maddie Day-Larsen, Volleyball ââ'¬" Family, Consumer & Human Development
Shannon Dufficy, Women's Basketball ââ'¬" Exercise Science
Mealii Enos, Soccer ââ'¬" Special Education
Mia Estes, Women's Track & Field ââ'¬" Exercise Science
Edmund Faimalo, Football ââ'¬" Interdisciplinary Studies
Jaysa Funk, Volleyball ââ'¬" Pre-Physical Therapy
Rachel Gale, Volleyball ââ'¬" Family, Consumer & Human Development
Jessie Geer, Women's Basketball ââ'¬" Health Education & Promotion
Hannah Gleason, Volleyball ââ'¬" Exercise Science
Kody Gould, Men's Track & Field ââ'¬" Pre-Physical Therapy
Bailee Hammond, Soccer ââ'¬" Psychology
Lauren Harmon, Soccer ââ'¬" Family, Consumer & Human Development
Tristan Houser, Men's Track & Field ââ'¬" Exercise Science
Emily Hunter, Softball ââ'¬" Family, Consumer & Human Development
Sydney Jacobs, Women's Track & Field ââ'¬" Special Education
Kassidy Johnson, Volleyball ââ'¬" Exercise Science
Jessica Jones, Women's Track & Field ââ'¬" Elementary Education
Kaylie Kamalu-Smith, Volleyball ââ'¬" Health Education & Promotion
LeAnn Larkin, Women's Track & Field ââ'¬" Elementary Education
Carly Lenzen, Volleyball ââ'¬" Exercise Science
Meghan Lyall, Women's Tennis ââ'¬" Psychology
Shannon Maloney, Women's Track & Field ââ'¬" Psychology
Deja Mason, Women's Basketball ââ'¬" Family, Consumer & Human Development
Jordyn McCracken, Softball ââ'¬" Pre-Physical Therapy
Connor McGuire, Football ââ'¬" Physical Education Teaching
Bailey McIntire, Gymnastics ââ'¬" Psychology
Jalen Moore, Men's Basketball ââ'¬" Exercise Science
Olivia Moriconi, Women's Track & Field ââ'¬" Pre-Physical Therapy
Chance Parker, Football/Men's Track & Field ââ'¬" Exercise Science
Christine Van Brocklin-Parker, Women's Track & Field ââ'¬" Health Education & Promotion
Rachelle Parrish, Soccer ââ'¬" Family, Consumer & Human Development
Riley Plogger, Softball ââ'¬" Communicative Disorders & Deaf Education
Brittany Rawlins, Women's Track & Field ââ'¬" Exercise Science
Eli Rogers, Golf ââ'¬" Pre-Physical Therapy
Megan Ryan, Women's Track & Field ââ'¬" Pre-Physical Therapy
Katie Schroeder, Softball ââ'¬" Exercise Science
Justin Sheets, Men's Track & Field ââ'¬" Psychology
Tylee Newman-Skinner, Women's Track & Field ââ'¬" Special Education
Natalie Stoven, Soccer ââ'¬" Elementary Education & Sociology
Kaitlyn Stratton, Soccer ââ'¬" Family, Consumer & Human Development
Bethani Talbot, Women's Track & Field ââ'¬" Elementary Education
Tasia Taylor, Volleyball ââ'¬" Exercise Science
Ashlee Thornock, Volleyball ââ'¬" Exercise Science
Katie Toole, Women's Basketball ââ'¬" Exercise Science
Monika Van de Vondel, Women's Tennis ââ'¬" Exercise Science
Zach Van Leeuwen, Football ââ'¬" Family, Consumer & Human Development
Madison Ward, Gymnastics ââ'¬" Exercise Science
Kai Wehnelt, Men's Tennis ââ'¬" Exercise Science
Jensen Williams, Women's Track & Field ââ'¬" Physical Education Teaching
Michala Zilkey, Women's Track & Field ââ'¬" Exercise Science
Karlee Campbell-Zollinger, Soccer ââ'¬" Exercise Science

Caine College of the Arts
Jennifer Christensen, Women's Track & Field ââ'¬" Music Education: Band Education
Jordyn Chung-Hoon, Soccer ââ'¬" Art: Graphic Design
Dustin Mathews, Football ââ'¬" Art
Katelyn Zabriskie, Women's Track & Field ââ'¬" Art: Graphic Design

College of Science
Allanah Alvarado, Softball ââ'¬" Biology
Lauren Anderson, Volleyball ââ'¬" Statistics
Travis Boman, Football ââ'¬" Biology
Ellee Bullock, Women's Tennis ââ'¬" Biology
Zach Cottrell, Men's Track & Field ââ'¬" Math/Statistics Composite Teaching
Tavia Dutson, Women's Track & Field ââ'¬" Biochemistry
Connor Garner, Men's Basketball ââ'¬" Statistics & Accounting
Maia Garren, Women's Track & Field ââ'¬" Biology
Braden Harris, Football ââ'¬" Biology
Mikayla Howes, Soccer ââ'¬" Public Health
Kaylie King-Arnold, Women's Track & Field ââ'¬" Biology
Tori Parkinson, Women's Track & Field ââ'¬" Public Health
Lauren Pierson, Women's Track & Field ââ'¬" Math/Statistics Composite Teaching
Erin Rickenbach, Soccer ââ'¬" Physics Teaching / Math Teaching
Hayley Sanzotti, Gymnastics ââ'¬" Biology: Cellular/Molecular
Bryson Stout, Men's Track & Field ââ'¬" Earth Science Composite Teaching
Landon Watts, Men's Track & Field ââ'¬" Biology & Spanish
Eliza West, Women's Basketball ââ'¬" Biology
James Withers, Men's Track & Field ââ'¬" Biochemistry
Devin Wright, Men's Track & Field ââ'¬" Biology

College of Agriculture & Applied Sciences
Jordan Beutler, Men's Track & Field ââ'¬" Plant Science
Kayla DeCoursey, Volleyball ââ'¬" Family Consumer Science Education
Kelsey Girardelli-Siddoway, Women's Track & Field ââ'¬" Nutrition, Dietetics & Food Sciences
Sophia Haleas, Women's Tennis ââ'¬" Nutrition, Dietetics & Food Sciences
Jackie Heaps, Women's Track & Field ââ'¬" Nutrition, Dietetics & Food Sciences
Jaylen Hinckley, Soccer ââ'¬" Nutrition, Dietetics & Food Sciences
Emily Hubner, Women's Track & Field ââ'¬" Nutrition, Dietetics & Food Sciences
Mia Maher, Softball ââ'¬" Animal, Dairy & Veterinary Sciences
Erica Moscoso, Volleyball ââ'¬" Animal, Dairy & Veterinary Sciences
Maggie O'Meara, Women's Tennis ââ'¬" Nutrition, Dietetics & Food Sciences
Cierra Simmons, Women's Track & Field ââ'¬" Nutrition, Dietetics & Food Sciences
Oran Wasserman, Men's Track & Field ââ'¬" Nutrition, Dietetics & Food Sciences
Olivia West, Women's Basketball ââ'¬" Nutrition, Nutrition, Dietetics & Food Sciences
Hannah Wheelwright, Women's Track & Field ââ'¬" Nutrition, Dietetics & Food Sciences

College of Humanities and Social Sciences
Amee Aarhus, Softball ââ'¬" Sociology
Emily Briones, Gymnastics ââ'¬" Communication Studies
Olivia Burnett, Soccer ââ'¬" Political Science
Jalen Davis, Football ââ'¬" Sociology
Daniel Echeverry, Men's Tennis ââ'¬" International Studies
Katie Flynn, Soccer ââ'¬" Sociology
Nini Guensler, Women's Tennis ââ'¬" Sociology
Wesley Hamblin, Soccer ââ'¬" Communication Studies
Wyatt Houston, Football ââ'¬" Sociology
Brandon Pada, Football ââ'¬" Political Science
Selina Ramsey, Women's Track & Field ââ'¬" American Studies
Dax Raymond, Football ââ'¬" Sociology
Jontrell Rocquemore, Football ââ'¬" Sociology
Austin Stephens, Football ââ'¬" Sociology
Jake Templeton, Football ââ'¬" Sociology
Jacoby Wildman, Football ââ'¬" Sociology

University Studies
Chad Artist, Football ââ'¬" Exploratory
Josette Ball, Women's Track & Field ââ'¬" Exploratory
Michael Bluth, Men's Track & Field ââ'¬" Pre-Business
Corinne Clarkson, Women's Track & Field ââ'¬" Exploratory
Samuel Coleman, Men's Track & Field ââ'¬" Pre-Business
Ashlyn Dyer, Women's Track & Field ââ'¬" Exploratory
Elli Eastmond, Women's Track & Field ââ'¬" Exploratory
Taylor Enders, Women's Basketball ââ'¬" Pre-Business
Leaugen Fray, Men's Track & Field ââ'¬" Pre-Business
Simone Gibeau, Volleyball ââ'¬" Pre-Business
Josie Givens, Women's Track & Field ââ'¬" Exploratory
Joseph Gough, Men's Track & Field ââ'¬" Pre-Business
Alyssa Hirschi, Women's Track & Field ââ'¬" Exploratory
Hannah Jones, Women's Tennis ââ'¬" Pre-Business
Jenna Kane, Women's Tennis ââ'¬" Exploratory
Autumn Kelsch, Women's Track & Field ââ'¬" Exploratory
Madi Olson, Volleyball ââ'¬" Exploratory
Bailee Parker, Women's Track & Field ââ'¬" Exploratory
Jake Pitcher, Football ââ'¬" Exploratory
Hannah Putnam, Women's Track & Field ââ'¬" Exploratory
Maggie Richey, Soccer ââ'¬" Exploratory
Alecia Robinson, Soccer ââ'¬" Exploratory
Devan Sperry, Softball ââ'¬" Exploratory
Keith Tambe, Football ââ'¬" Exploratory
Justus Te'i, Football ââ'¬" Exploratory
Kellie White, Softball ââ'¬" Exploratory
David Woodward, Football ââ'¬" Pre-Business

School of Graduate Studies
Julianne Anchling, Women's Basketball ââ'¬" International Business
Mariah Anderson, Women's Track & Field ââ'¬" Health Promotions
Parker Bluth, Men's Track & Field ââ'¬" Accounting
Joshua Gordon, Men's Track & Field ââ'¬" Health & Human Movement
Tanner Hunt, Men's Track & Field ââ'¬" Biological Engineering
Travis Seefeldt, Football ââ'¬" Business Administration
Michelle Yasukochi, Gymnastics ââ'¬" Accounting