Springs Times

The 2021-22 Mountain West Male and Female Scholar-Athletes of the Year were announced today as Boise State football standout Kekaula Kaniho was name the MW Male Scholar-Athlete of the Year and Air Force track & field record holder Michelle Roca was selected as the MW Female Scholar-Athlete of the Year.

Established by the Mountain West Joint Council in 1999, the MW Scholar-Athlete of the Year Award is the highest honor presented to a student-athlete by the Conference. The award is bestowed annually to one male and one female who best exemplify the term “student-athlete” by achieving excellence in academics, athletics and community involvement over the course of their intercollegiate career.

In addition to athletic achievement, recipients of the MW Scholar-Athlete of the Year Award must have a minimum 3.5 cumulative grade point average, demonstrate leadership, and exhibit good character and conduct on and off the playing field. Each honoree will receive a $2,500 postgraduate scholarship.

Kaniho is just the second Bronco to earn MW Male Scholar-Athlete of the Year and the first since Mason Hampton in 2017-18. The native of Kahuku, Hawaii, graduated from Boise State in the spring of 2021 with a degree in health studies, holding a 3.96 GPA. Kaniho finished his career as a five-time Academic All-MW honoree, five-time MW Scholar-Athlete and two-time Academic All-American.

During his career, Kaniho earned the 2020 Senior CLASS Award and was a finalist for the William V. Campbell Trophy. On the field, he racked up 217 tackles and six interceptions.

Roca is the sixth Falcon to earn MW Female Scholar-Athlete of the Year and first since 2017-18 (Jinan Andrews). A native of Spanish Fort, Alabama, Roca graduated in spring of 2022 with a degree in biology, earning a 3.87 GPA. She concluded her career at Air Force as a four-time Academic All-MW honoree and four-time MW Scholar-Athlete. Has been admitted to the Harvard Kennedy School of Government for a master’s degree in Public Policy.

She will leave Air Force as the women’s 400-meter hurdles record holder.   MALE AND FEMALE SCHOLAR-ATHLETE OF THE YEAR ALL-TIME LIST OF HONOREES

2021-22

Kekaula Kaniho, Football, Boise State

Michelle Roca, Track & Field, Air Force   2020-21

Christopher Henry, Men’s Cross Country/Track & Field, Wyoming

Gwen Maly, Women’s Soccer, New Mexico   2018-19

Nick Smith, Football, Wyoming

Allie Ostrander, Women’s Cross Country/Track and Field, Boise State   2017-18

Mason Hampton, Football, Boise State

Jinan Andrews, Women's Swimming and Diving, Air Force   2016-17

Devin Wright, Men's Track and Field, Utah State

Audra DeStefano, Women's Cross Country/Track and Field, Wyoming   2015-16

Jordan Dobrich, Football, Nevada

Courtney Frerichs, Women's Cross Country/Track and Field, New Mexico   2014-15

Samir Iftikhar, Men's Tennis, New Mexico

Rebecca Esselstein, Women's Cross Country/Track and Field, Air Force   2013-14

Christian Meyer, Men's Cross Country/Track and Field, Colorado State

Darcie Anderson, Women's Swimming, San José State   2012-13

Luke Ruff, Football, Wyoming

Chaundra Sewell, Women's Basketball, Wyoming   2011-12

Greg Miller, Men's Cross Country/Track & Field, Wyoming

Kelly Williamson, Women's Volleyball, New Mexico   2010-11

Eric Robinson, Men's Swimming & Diving, Air Force

Therese Koelbaek, Women's Golf, UNLV   2009-10

Zane Beadles, Football, Utah

Simone Riford, Rifle, TCU   2008-09

Kellen Fowler, Football, BYU

Abigail Rogers, Gymnastics, Air Force   2007-08

Joseph Brown, Men's Track & Field, TCU

April Thomas, Women’s' Cross Country/Track & Field, Colorado State   2006-07

Lars Loseth, Men's Skiing/Men's Soccer, New Mexico

Blair Leake, Women's Swimming & Diving, Air Force   2005-06

Matt Karmondy, Men's Swimming & Diving, Air Force

Maja Kovacek, Women's Tennis, New Mexico   2004-05

Morgan Scalley, Football, Utah

Lindsey Metcalf, Women's Volleyball/Women's Track & Field, BYU   2003-04

Sean Murray, Baseball, New Mexico

Delavane Diaz, Women's Volleyball, Air Force   2002-03

John Dayton, Men's Swimming & Diving, Air Force

Theresa Kulikowski, Gymnastics, Utah   2001-02

Teren Jameson, Men's Cross Country/Track & Field, Utah

Shannon Bowles, Gymnastics, Utah   2000-01

John Greer, Football, UNLV

Liz Toman, Women's Track & Field, Colorado State   1999-2000

Matthieu Amgwerd, Men's Tennis, New Mexico

Katarina Malec, Women's Tennis, UNLV

Original source can be found here.