June 13, 2008
Athletic Department Announces Scholar Athletes of the Year
Stephen Fox and Sara Poling honored with highest academic honors

FAYETTEVILLE, N.C.-  Each year, the Methodist Department of Athletics honors the male and female student-athletes with the highest cumulative grade point average.  Men's soccer player, Stephen Fox will receive the Male Scholar Athlete of the Year award.  Softball player Sara Poling has been named the Female Scholar Athletes of the Year for the second consecutive year.

The Scholar Athletes of the Year are presented to the student-athletes with the highest grade point average and must be full-time students and varsity athletes.  The student-athletes will be honored during the fall convocation ceremony.

Originally from West Palm Beach, Fla., Stephen Fox achieved a 4.060 cumulative grade point average in his freshman year.  Fox played in six games for the men's soccer team during the 2007 season before missing most of the season with an injury. A defender, Fox picked up an assist against Lasell College. Fox is pursuing a degree in Business Administration with a concentration in Sport Management.

Sara Poling earned a 4.102 grade point average this year.  The junior shortstop hit .275 during the season before finishing with a .375 batting average in the NCAA First Round Tournament to earn All-Tournament honors.  A native of Rocky Point, N.C., Poling is seeking a degree in Chemistry with a concentration in Forensics and a minor in Mathematics.