Tulane Lands Three on American’s Scholar-Athlete Sport Excellence Awards List

PROVIDENCE, R.I. – American Athletic Conference Commissioner Mike Aresco announced the 26 individuals on Wednesday who were recognized as 2016-17 Scholar-Athlete Sport Excellence Award winners. Tulane landed three on the list in track & field's Dali Ortiz, women's basketball's Leslie Vorpahl and baseball's Hunter Williams, marking the most in the university's three-year history in the league.

The Scholar-Athlete Sport Excellence Awards go to the top student-athletes in each conference-sponsored sport on the basis of academic credentials, athletic accolades and volunteer/community service.

The women's outdoor track & field program picked up their second straight winner as Ortiz followed in the footsteps of Lilla McMillan. Ortiz received her bachelor's in communications and public relations, earning a 3.53 grade-point average.

Ortiz's senior outdoor campaign in the javelin throw featured three gold medals followed by a silver medal at the conference championships. The Puerto Rico native, who ranked ninth nationally in the event, capped her Tulane career by qualifying for her first NCAA Championships, where she earned All-America honorable mention status.

Next, Vorpahl graduated with a 3.76 grade-point average in business management and marketing, and took home The American's Scholar-Athlete of the Year Award for women's basketball, marking the second time in three years a Tulane point guard earned the accolade.

Vorpahl was the second player in program history to surpass both 1,000 career points and 500 career assists. The Third Team All-Conference selection averaged 6.1 assists per game as a senior, which ranked 19^th in the nation. Meanwhile, her 558 career assists ranked 14^th among all active Division-I players.

Last, but not least, this marked the second straight year Williams reeled in the prestigious league honor. The West Monroe native received a bachelor's degree in neuroscience this past May with a perfect 4.0 grade-point average.

Williams batted .357 with 41 RBI's, 45 runs scored, 11 home runs, all while compiling a .574 slugging percentage and a .404 on-base percentage. Defensively, Williams was a part of a school record 65 doubles plays turned by the Wave defense. All-in-all, Williams' effort led to him being named The American's Co-Player of the Year and a First-Team CoSIDA Academic All-American.

Tulane Lands Three on American’s Scholar-Athlete Sport Excellence Awards List

Players Mentioned

Hunter Williams

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