BRIDGEPORT, W.Va. -- The Mountain East Conference today announced the 12 female and 12 male finalists for the league’s second annual Scholar-Athlete of the Year Award.
 
Each institution in the MEC selected one female and one male as finalists for the Scholar-Athlete of the Year Award, which recognizes outstanding academic and athletic performance for the previous academic year. Each finalist will receive a plaque. The criteria to be nominated are: (1) a 3.30 cumulative grade-point average; (2) participated in at least 50 percent of the team’s contests in a MEC-sponsored sport; (3) minimum of one year in residence at the institution.
 
The female finalists are: Sarah Akers (Concord University, Soccer), Courtney Iacobacci (Fairmont State University, Softball), Maya Horne (Glenville State College, Basketball), Lauren Langenderfer (Notre Dame College, Basketball), Taylor Harwood (Shepherd University, Soccer), Kelly Browning (University of Charleston, Softball), Katelyn Edwards (Urbana University, Softball), Daria Tyshchenko (UVa-Wise, Tennis), Kierra Simpson (West Liberty University, Basketball), Laura Isbey (West Virginia State, Tennis), Rachel Ritchey (West Virginia Wesleyan, Soccer), Abby Moffit (Wheeling Jesuit, volleyball).
 
The male finalists are: Joe Sweet (Concord University, Soccer), Nic Rush (Fairmont State University, Baseball), Micah Boles (Glenville State College, Track & Field), Mitchell Shegos (Notre Dame College, Football), Jacob Carney (Shepherd University, Baseball), Conor Branson (University of Charleston, Soccer), Nathan Jones (Urbana University, Soccer), Andrii Rutnytskyi (UVa-Wise, Tennis), Seger Bonifant (West Liberty University, Basketball), Dennis Gardeck (West Virginia State, Football), Tanner McGrew (West Virginia Wesleyan, Basketball), Shaan Stuart (Wheeling Jesuit, Soccer).
 
The Scholar-Athlete of the Year is determined by a vote of the administrators in the Mountain East Conference and the league office. The male award winner will be announced June 27th, and the women's winner will be announced June 28th.

Additionally, the MEC will also be announcing several of its annual awards over the coming weeks, including Male Sports Coach of the Year, Female Sports Coach of the Year, Male Athlete of the Year and Female Athlete of the Year. The 2015-16 Play of the Year will be voted on by fans on various forms of social media.