Valparaiso University awarded 132 student-athletes with Presidential Academic Honors while also handing out the Laurel Award at the 21st Annual Student-Athletes Academic Honors Banquet held on Sunday evening in the Christopher Center.

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.

Michael Salguero (Ebensburg, Pa./Central Cambria), a member of the men’s cross country and track and field teams, was presented with the annual Laurel Award, honoring the graduating senior student-athlete who achieved the highest cumulative grade point average.  Salguero is on pace to graduate in May with a degree in civil engineering.

Salguero was one of seven individuals to earn the Finishing at the Top honor this year, given to graduating seniors with a cumulative grade point average of 3.9 or higher.  Joining Salguero were:

- Andrea Bretl (Wauwatosa, Wis./West) – women’s swimming – psychology major

- Sarah Chrabaszcz (Reedsburg, Wis./Reedsburg Area) – volleyball – chemistry and biology double major

- Mickey Delcambre (Westfield, Ind./Westfield) – men’s track and field – electrical engineering major

- Eric Honert (Arvada, Colo./Ralston Valley) – men’s tennis – mechanical engineering major

- Michelle Kleckner (New Brighton, Minn./Irondale) – women’s golf – mathematics and secondary education double major

- Amanda Ulin (Solon, Iowa/Solon) – women’s soccer – biology major

The evening also featured 18 individuals being honored as Outstanding Student-Athletes for carrying a cumulative grade point average of 3.9 or higher, regardless of their class in school.  In addition, a pair of senior student-athletes annually speak on their experiences throughout their Crusader careers.  This year, Ulin and men's soccer player Todd Vervynckt had the honor of addressing the nearly 200 student-athletes, families, administration members, and professors that were in attendance.

Valparaiso University alum Amy Cramer was the keynote speaker for the evening.  A goalkeeper on the women’s soccer team during her time at Valpo, Cramer graduated with a degree in psychology.  She currently teaches in the Department of Education at Valparaiso University as she works toward her Ph.D. in educational psychology.