Clarksville, Ark.-Recent U of O graduates Sam Shook and Todd Turner were named winners of the American Southwest Conference Distinguished Scholar-Athletes for the 2014-2015 academic year.
Shook, a native of Katy, Texas, won the award for baseball, while Turner, a native of Pearcy, Ark., won the award for men's tennis. It is Turner's third consecutive Distinguished Scholar Athlete award.
The Distinguished Scholar-Athlete Teams recognizes student-athletes who achieve a high level of academic achievement (a 3.20 grade-point average or better) while competing as a starter or important reserve on their team. From that list – limited to one nominee per school in each ASC championship sport – the sports information directors from the 12 ASC member institutions select a Distinguished Scholar-Athlete in each sport. Overall, 79 student-athletes were named to the American Southwest Conference Winter/Spring 2014-15 Distinguished Scholar-Athlete Teams.
Shook is the first Ozarks' recipient of the ASC Distinguished Scholar-Athlete award in baseball. A member of the Dean's List and a mathematics major with a 3.8 grade point average, Shook has earned numerous national awards for his academic and athletic success throughout his collegiate career including Academic All-America Third Team and All-District (2013). Shook played catcher and the outfield during his career and ranks fifth at Ozarks in most doubles with 32. He was an All-Conference performer in 2013.
Turner has been among the most decorated student-athletes in school history. He is a four-time ITA Scholar Athlete and All-ASC selection, and a three-time CoSIDA Academic All-District performer and ASC All-Academic Team member. Recently named the University's Most Outstanding Senior Biology major, Turner also received the ASC Scholar-Athlete Medal of Honor. During the 2015 spring season, Turner played at No. 1 singles and posted a 10-4 record and went 10-5 in doubles with Bishop Bass. For his efforts, Turner was named to the ASC All-East Division second team in singles and doubles. As the No. 1 singles player the past four seasons, Turner ranks second in program history with 38 career singles wins and has the second-most doubles wins (47). One of just four student-athletes to be named an ASC Distinguished Scholar-Athlete three times in the same sport, Turner graduated with a biology degree and a 3.9 grade point average.
