RIVERSIDE, Calif. – Utah cross country senior Emily Venters was named the Pac-12 Scholar Athlete of the Year Friday morning ahead of the Pac-12 Cross Country Championships race.
 
Venters became the first Woman of Utah to ever earn this prestigious honor from the Conference of Champions and ninth overall from the University of Utah. The Lawrence, Kan., product is currently wrapping up her post-baccalaureate degree with a 3.95 cumulative GPA.
 
Her senior season has been filled with excitement, headlined by her first career collegiate victory at the Roy Griak Invitational – which helped Utah capture the team title to secure the sweep. Her run of 20:33.2 was the fifth-fastest time on the Les Bolstad Golf Course since the race was extended to 6k in 2000. Additionally, her time was also the fastest since Deborah Maier of California won the race back in 2011 (20:29.2).
 
Venters followed up with a sixth-place finish at a very stacked Nuttycombe Invitational, posting a time of 20:02.9 to barely miss out on joining the multiple sub-20 list at this race.
 
The nomination criteria are:
• Senior (in athletics eligibility) on track to receive a degree
• Cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or higher
• Participation in at least 50% of the scheduled contest in the sport
• Minimum of one year in residence at the institution
 
Venters and the Utes are set to compete in the Pac-12 Championships in just over an hour at the UCR Ag-Ops Course hosted by USC. Jim Watson and Tom Feuer will guide fans throughout the race on Pac-12 Networks, Pac-12 Insider and on online.
 

UTAH PAC-12 SCHOLAR ATHLETE WINNERS
Season	Student-Athlete	Sport
2022-23	Emily Venters	Cross Country
2021-22	Britain Covey	Football
2018-19	Brianna Chisholm	Women's Tennis
2017-18	Katie Donovan	Softball
2015-16	Brandon Taylor	Men's Basketball
2015-16	Breanna Hughes	Gymnastics
2014-15	Taryn Wicijowski	Women's Basketball
2014-15	Georgia Dabritz	Gymnastics
2011-12	Stephanie McAllister	Gymnastics

  
For the latest news and information on the Utah cross country and track & field programs, fans can stay connected online at www.UtahUtes.com and on social media by following on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.