Gardner, West Named Female And Male Scholar Athletes Of The Week

Feb. 20, 2007

Indianapolis, Ind. - Butler junior Genni Gardner (women's indoor track and field) and senior Evan West (men's tennis) have been named the Horizon League Scholar-Athletes of the Week, the league announced Tuesday (Feb. 20).

Gardner earns the award for the fourth time this year after winning the 3,000-meter race at the Hoosier Hills Invitational on Friday (Feb. 16). Her time of 9:57.15 was the best mark by a Horizon League runner this season and puts her more than 24 seconds ahead of her nearest competitor on this year's Horizon League leader board. She also owns the circuit's best time in the mile (4:54.01).

In the classroom, Gardner touts a 3.946 grade-point average as a communications disorders major. She was an Academic All-League selection and a First-Team All-League performer in cross country last fall, and earned Academic All-League honors in track and field as a sophomore. She was also named to the District V Academic All-District team.

West scored a pair of victories at the No. 4 singles position last weekend. He was the lone Bulldog winner against No. 34 Kentucky on Saturday (Feb. 17), defeating Kenny Hodge in straight sets (7-5, 6-3), and tallied a 6-0, 6-0 win over Bradley's Matt Metully on Sunday (Feb. 18).

Academically, West holds a 3.795 GPA as a chemistry major and Spanish minor. He was an Academic All-League selection last spring and has been a member of the League's Academic Honor Roll in each of the past three semesters.

The Horizon League instituted the Scholar-Athlete of the Week awards for this academic year as a way to recognize outstanding academic and athletic achievement by its student-athletes. To be eligible for the honor, a student-athlete must maintain a cumulative grade-point average of 3.20 or better (on a 4.00 scale), have completed at least one year at the member institution and passed 24 semester or 36 quarter hours, and perform well during the week's competition. Winners are selected by a group of League faculty athletic representatives from nominations provided by sports information directors.