Valparaiso University awarded 131 student-athletes with Presidential Academic Honors while also handing out the Laurel Award at the 26^th Annual Student-Athletes Academic Honors Banquet held on Sunday evening.

Presidential Academic Honors are awarded to student-athletes who have earned a cumulative GPA of 3.25 or higher after at least two semesters at Valpo.

Nick Seitz (Xenia, Ohio/Carroll), a member of the men’s golf team, was presented with the annual Laurel Award, honoring the graduating senior student-athlete who achieved the highest cumulative grade point average. Seitz is on pace to graduate in May with a perfect 4.0 GPA as a biology and chemistry double major.

Seitz was joined by 11 individuals who earned the Finishing at the Top honor this year, given to student-athletes with a cumulative grade point average of 3.9 or higher, including a trio of his fellow seniors –Vanesa Abad (Barrington, Ill./Lake Zurich), a nursing major from the women’s soccer team; Adam Bruno (Bloomington, Ill./University), a history and secondary education major from the men’s cross country and track and field squads; and Brian Lang (Chicago, Ill./Marist), an accounting major from the football team.

Sunday’s program featured remarks from President Mark A. Heckler and 1978 Valparaiso University alum Paul Thune, who was a member of the track and field squad during his time as a Crusader. In addition, senior student-athletes Kenny Floyd and Rachel Bruinsma shared remarks as well.