As Nominees, Each Receive $7,500 Post-Graduate Scholarship
By: Kelsey Bibik
GAINESVILLE, Fla. - Elliott Orkin of the Florida men's tennis team and Betsy Middleton of the Gator soccer team are among the nominees for the H. Boyd McWhorter Scholar-Athlete Post-Graduate Scholarship. The Southeastern Conference announced Florida's candidates Tuesday.
These two represent the Gators well in the academic and athletic arenas. Here are some highlights from their Florida careers:
Betsy Middleton maintained a 4.0 grade point average through her entire academic career. She graduated summa cum laude from UF in the fall of 2016. Betsy Middleton, Soccer, Florida
2015 and 2016 College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA) Academic All-America second-team selection
During final year at UF, involved in two research projects - conducting survey relationship between impulsivity & food reinforcement for senior thesis and working on UF Department of Psychology research for implementation and adoption of reusable bag use & adoption.
SEC Academic Honor Roll as a junior and senior
SEC First-Year Academic Honor Roll as a sophomore after playing freshman season at Miami (Fla.)
Maintained a 4.0-grade point average throughout academic career
Graduated summa cum laude with a bachelor's degree in Psychology – Behavioral & Cognitive Neuroscience in December of 201
Appeared in 85 matches during collegiate career, with 24 starts. 7 goals, 6 assists for 20 points
First goal as a Gator was game-winner in 2-1 win at No. 2 Florida State in 2014
Elliott Orkin earned 2016 SEC First-Team honors. The Finance major is also a five-time Dean's list member. Elliott Orkin, Men's Tennis, Florida
Major: Finance
Three-time SEC Academic Honor Roll (2014 First-Year, 2015, 2016)
Three-time ITA All-Academic Team (2014, 2015, 2016)
2016 Academic Award (team award)
Dean's list member five of his seven semesters
Finance major, graduating with honors; carries a 3.61 GPA
2014 SEC All-Freshman Team
2015 Second Team All-SEC
2016 First Team All-SEC
SEC Player of the Week (March 30, 2016)
2015 Most Valuable Player (Team Award)
Has earned 175 combined wins (97/78) in his career, which is seventh on Florida's all-time list
Has a team-high 46-24 doubles record with partner Maxx Lipman.
About the McWhorter Post-Graduate Scholarship:
Each year, the SEC, in conjunction with AT&T, an SEC official sponsor, provides the league's male and female McWhorter Scholar-Athlete Post-Graduate Scholarship recipients with a $15,000 post-graduate scholarship. The 26 remaining male and female finalists for the award will also receive a $7,500 post-graduate scholarship.
On April 27, the SEC announces the league's top male and female scholar-athletes. This is the 32nd year for the prestigious scholarship. Three Gators have received the McWhorter Scholarship – Sarah Lowe (basketball/2006), Matt Bonner (basketball/2003) and Janice Kerr (gymnastics/1989).
A committee of Faculty Athletics Representatives chose the scholarship recipients from the 14 SEC institutions nominees. Those recipients are honored at the SEC Spring Meetings in Sandestin, Fla., in early June.
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