Stacia Beste of the women's track and field and cross country teams and Adam Waugh of the football team were named the Illinois State University Scholar-Athletes of the Year at the 2001 State Farm Student-Athlete Academic Excellence Banquet, Sunday.
Beste's accomplishments on the track and in the classroom are proof positive that success in both areas is an achievable goal. Beste has received the highest university academic honor at Illinois State when she was named a Bone Scholar in 2000. Other academic awards include 2001 Verizon Academic All-American, 2001 MVC Scholar-Athlete Track and Field Team, 2001 Presidents Academic Excellence Award, and the AFNI Athletic Honor Roll member all semesters. She also served on the Student-Athlete Advisory Council at Illinois State.
Beste is a four-time MVC Champion in track and field, an NCAA Championship Qualifier in outdoor track and field, and an MVC Female Athlete of the Year. In addition to her exploits in track and field, Beste claimed the MVC Cross Country Championship in the 5K on Saturday, earning her MVC Female Athlete of the Year honors in a second sport.
The list of achievements for Waugh begins with his numerous academic honors which include 2000 Illinois State Male Scholar-Athlete of the Year, 2000 Verizon Academic All-American, Bone Scholar, Golden Key National Honor Society, Red Tassel Mortarboard, AFNI Honor Roll, and a cumulative 4.0 GPA. He has also served two years on the Student-Athlete Advisory Council at Illinois State.
A four-year starter in football, Waugh helped lead ISU football to national prominence. After tearing his ACL in a game against Western Illinois in 1999, Waugh has been a heady player and a sure tackler. He currently leads the Redbirds with three fumble recoveries and ranks second on the team with 59 tackles.
Waugh has also been named 2000 Verizon All-District V, 2000 All-Gateway Academic First Team, and 1999 All-Gateway Academic First Team for his outstanding accomplishments in the classroom, as well as on the field.
