June 5, 2003
SAN BRUNO, Calif. - Santa Clara women's soccer player Aly Wagner and Pepperdine golfer Katherine Hull were named the 2003 West Coast Conference Co-Female Scholar Athletes of the Year, while Loyola Marymount men's soccer player Jeff Kovar earned the Male Scholar-Athlete of the Year award, Commissioner Michael Gilleran announced today.
Hull is the first female athlete from Pepperdine to receive Scholar-Athlete of the Year honors, while Wagner is the third straight female recipient from Santa Clara, following Danielle Slaton in 2002 and Annie Garrison in 2001. Kovar is the third LMU men's scholar-athlete in the last five years to take home the annual award.
The highest honor in the WCC is selected by a vote of the league's institutional representatives to recognize the finest accomplishments in athletics, academics and community service by individuals who have completed their WCC eligibility.
Wagner finished her brilliant career at Santa Clara by winning the M.A.C. Hermann Trophy Award, given to the top female soccer player in the nation. While splitting time between Santa Clara and the U.S. National Team in 2002, the three-time All-American helped guide the Broncos to the College Cup Finals for the second consecutive year. As a member of the national team in 2002, Wagner was named to the Women¹s Gold Cup All-Tournament Team, leading the squad in assists and ranking fifth in points. Wagner was taken with the top pick in the 2003 WUSA draft by the San Diego Spirit.
Despite a demanding schedule, Wagner maintained a high level of excellence in the classroom, earning a 3.46 GPA in Combined Sciences. For her academic and athletic achievements, Wagner was selected to the WCC All-Academic team in 2001 and 2002. The San Jose native managed to find time to give back to the community by volunteering for HomeSafe, Alzheimer's Activity Center and local youth clinics.
Hull ended her illustrious career at Pepperdine as arguably the greatest women's golfer in Waves history. Hull, a three-time All-American, capped a brilliant senior campaign by being named the National Golf Coaches Association Division I Player of the Year as well as being named the Dinah Shore Trophy Award winner, sponsored by the LPGA. In 2002, Hull established an NCAA record for a low-18 hole score when she shot a 64, only to break her own national record by firing an opening round 63 at the San Jose State Spartan Invitational this spring.
Hull's excellence on the golf course was only matched by her dedication in the classroom. A Sports Administration major, Hull earned a 3.40 GPA and also served as the Student Athlete Advisory Committee representative for Pepperdine. During her time in Malibu, Hull has served the local community well by participating in events such as Step Forward Day and volunteering in soup kitchens. Hull¹s academic and athletic achievements in 2003 landed her on the WCC All-Academic team for the second straight season.
Santa Clara will aim for its 10th overall appearance in the College Cup with the start of the 2003 season. The Broncos' 20-match schedule features 12 programs that advanced to last year's NCAA Championship, included four of the top eight seeds. The Broncos will host eight of those matches at Buck Shaw Stadium. The season kicks off against UCLA at 7 p.m. on Friday, August 29. Last season, the Bruins were ranked third when the Broncos upset them in overtime in Los Angeles. Santa Clara is 4-0 against UCLA in the all-time series between the schools.
