Women's Lacrosse's Boltja Earns BIG EAST Award
June 20, 2013 | Academic Services
June 20, 2013
LOUISVILLE, Ky. - University of Louisville's Nikki Boltja was named the recipient of the 2012-13 BIG EAST Conference Scholar-Athlete Sports Excellence Award for women's lacrosse, conference officials announced on Thursday.
It marks the second-straight year a student-athlete from the Louisville women's lacrosse team has secured the honor, with Katie Oliverio receiving the award last year.
The Scholar-Athlete Sport Excellence Awards are given to one student-athlete in each of the 24 BIG EAST-sponsored sports based on academic credentials, athletic accolades or performances and volunteer service to the community. Student-athletes who have attained junior academic standing and a minimum cumulative grade-point average of 3.00 are eligible. The winners are chosen by the BIG EAST Faculty Athletics Representative Council.
A rising senior, Boltja boasts a 3.62 grade-point average and is majoring in health and human performance, with a concentration in exercise science. Tabbed the program's second IWLCA All-American in mid-May, Boltja finished the season with 63 goals and 11 assists for 74 points, marking her second-straight season with at least 50 goals. Her point and goal totals in 2013 rank third best in a season in school history. Boltja also received first team all-region and all-conference accolades.
Boltja was one of four Cardinals to receive the league honor. Others collecting the award consisted of Russ Smith (men's basketball), Erin Conrad (field hockey), and Alex Burtch (swimming and diving).
