MADISON, Wis. (blugolds.com) — University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire's Katy Volz (Sr. - Tomahawk, Wis.) has been named the recipient of the 2023 Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) Judy Kruckman Women's Swimming & Diving Scholar-Athlete Award.
Volz, a senior from Tomahawk, Wis., boasts a 4.00 grade point average and is majoring in biology with a minor in pre-professional health sciences. She is a three-time member of the WIAC Scholastic Honor Roll and been recognized on UW-Eau Claire's Dean's List numerous semesters. In addition, Volz has received academic scholarships.
A team captain the last two years, Volz helped UW-Eau Claire to its first WIAC championship this season with an eighth-place finish in the 100-yard butterfly. She earned a spot on the WIAC All-Sportsmanship Team in 2022, and placed seventh in the 100-yard butterfly and eighth in the 200-yard individual medley. Volz was voted her team's Hardest Worker each of the last three seasons and received the Most Valuable Freshman Female Swimmer in 2020 and Female Most Inspirational in 2022.
Volz is a member of UW-Eau Claire's Pre-Professional Health Club and has served as volunteer at Mayo Clinic, as well as Marshfield Clinic – Community Connections Team and Chippewa Valley Free Dental Clinic. She has served as UW-Eau Claire's swim lesson program coordinator the last three years.
Also nominated for this year's scholar-athlete award were: UW-La Crosse's Kathleen Casella; UW-Stevens Point's McKenzie Lange; and UW-Whitewater's Ciara Hynes.
The WIAC Scholar-Athlete Award is named after Judy Kruckman who served as Assistant Commissioner for the WIAC from 1996-98. Prior to this appointment, she was Commissioner of the Wisconsin Women's Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WWIAC) from October, 1984 - September, 1996. Kruckman was the women's athletics director at UW-Eau Claire from 1974-84, and one of the original representatives to the WWIAC when it formed in 1971. She was inducted into the WIAC Hall of Fame in 2012.
In order to be nominated for the scholar-athlete award, a student-athlete must have a minimum 3.50 grade point average. In addition, she must be in her last year of competition, or on schedule to graduate this academic year, and have competed for a minimum of two years. The award is based on academic achievements, athletics accomplishments and involvement in other campus activities, organizations and community service projects.
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