Emily Smith, a double major in Data Science and Applied Mathematics, has been voted the 2021 Pac-12 Women's Soccer Scholar Athlete of the Year. Smith is California's captain and senior defender. The award, which is presented in each of the 24 sports sponsored by the Pac-12, was established to honor collegiate student-athletes that are standouts both academically and in their respective sports disciplines.
Smith is the first Golden Bear to receive such honor in the women's soccer program. The award was announced Friday, April 23.
Smith currently holds a 3.92 GPA - the highest GPA on the team. Smith will return for the Fall 2021 season to complete her dual degrees and use the additional year of eligibility provided to all student athletes who competed during the COVID-19 impacted season.
"To be named the Scholar Athlete of the Year in the Pac-12 is an amazing honor, especially when you consider how many truly gifted students there are in this conference," said head coach Neil McGuire. "Emily has that special blend of being exceptional in both academics and athletics. She has been an outstanding captain and leader of our team all while dedicating herself to her studies. We are very proud of her."
Read more on the Cal Athletics website.