UNC Honors Standout Tar Heels

February 7, 2014 | Leadership Academy, Student-Athlete Development

By: UNC Athletic Communications

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. - The UNC Department of Athletics honored outstanding student-athletes Tuesday evening, recognizing 2013-14 Athletic Director's Scholar-Athletes and Leaders of Distinction at the Dean E. Smith Center at halftime of the men's basketball game against Maryland, a 75-63 win for the Tar Heels.

"We're proud to recognize these student-athletes for their many accomplishments," UNC Director of Athletics Bubba Cunningham said. "Our fans gathered at the Smith Center Tuesday to cheer for our men's basketball team and it's great that they got to cheer Tar Heel academic and leadership successes as well. We salute our student-athletes for their hard work and the great example they set."

One standout from each team was selected as the A.D.'s Scholar-Athlete, an award that recognizes student-athletes who excel academically.

The Leader of Distinction award is the highest recognition bestowed by the Richard A. Baddour Carolina Leadership Academy following a rigorous evaluation process.

Nine student-athletes earned both awards. They are Frank Abbondanza (wrestling), Lianne Farber (women's cross country/track and field), Daniel Giles (men's fencing), Meredith Hoover (women's swimming and diving), Michelle Ikoma (gymnastics), Meredith Magjuka (gymnastics), Kelly McFarlane (women's soccer), Isaac Presson (men's cross country/track and field) and Andy Sajevic (men's golf).

Also honored as Athletic Director's Scholar-Athletes for 2013-14 are Kacie Albert (women's fencing), Kaitlyn Anderson (volleyball), Sara Buchholz (softball), Malia Cali (women's cross country), Brad Dillon (men's swimming and diving), Paige Hanson (women's lacrosse), Mike Jacobs (men's cross country), Cody Johnson (football), Frankie Kelly (men's lacrosse), Marta Malmberg (field hockey), Wade Moody (men's basketball), Benton Moss (baseball), Katherine Perry (women's golf), Sarah Priest (rowing), Laura Slater (women's tennis), Nelson Vick (men's tennis) and David Walden (men's soccer).

Also honored as Leaders of Distinction for 2013-14 are Sam Austin (men's fencing), Brian Bokoski (wrestling), Jackie Chang (women's golf), Margaret Corzel (women's lacrosse), Alex Gianino (men's swimming and diving), James Hurst (football), Ryan Ramsey (men's track and field), Katie Rechsteiner (women's swimming and diving), Anna Sieloff (women's soccer) and Zoe Skinner (women's lacrosse).