Honors banquet surpasses 200

Of the more than 200 student-athletes who were honored on Tuesday night at the 25th annual Grizzly Athletics Scholar-Athlete Honors Banquet, a record total for those with a 3.0 cumulative GPA, someone had to stand out and be recognized as an uber-achiever in a packed room of over-achievers.

It turned out to be a pair of junior finance majors who took home the highest honors, the annual President's Award for having posted the best GPA over the previous spring and fall semesters.

Fabijan Krslovic of the men's basketball team posted a perfect 4.0 GPA, as did Claire Dalman, a pole vaulter for the women's track and field team.

Dalman was one of four female student-athletes with a 4.0 for those two semesters, but her higher cumulative GPA earned her the tiebreak victory -- and isn't that just like sports, to have to go to a tiebreaker? -- and her first President's Award.

It was also the first for Krslovic, whose value of academics dates back, way back, to his days growing up in Australia in Robert and Lidia's household.

"Growing up my parents always had a strong emphasis on academics and education, so I think I've always had that in me," said Krslovic, who started all 32 games for the Grizzlies last winter.

Krslovic maintained his perfect GPA despite competing in a sport that spans the fall and spring semesters. Practices officially begin in early October. The season extends into March.

What he lost when he left Sydney for Missoula -- someone who would stress the importance of education -- he rediscovered when he joined coach Travis DeCuire's program.

DeCuire's first year as a collegiate head coach was Krslovic's first as a college player in the U.S. Three seasons together later, both are thriving.

"The coaching staff is awesome about staying on top of us," Krslovic said. "When we're on the road, they give us study-hall hours. They are always checking up on our classes and pushing us to do the best we can in the classroom.

"Our season goes through such a busy time of the year. Finals that first semester, then about half of the spring semester, so the coaches really putting an emphasis on academic achievement is big time."

Krslovic was Montana's leading rebounder last season, its fourth-leading scorer. He and DeCuire will try to lead the Grizzlies to the NCAA Tournament next March, which would be a first for both.

Beyond that, Krslovic isn't ready to commit.

"I'm still thinking about what I want to do in the future," he said. "Numbers have always been something I've been interested in, and my older brother is studying commerce and just started a job in banking, so he's been an influence on me.

"I don't have much of an idea, but hopefully a strong GPA will help."

Winning the Athletic Director's Award for the seventh consecutive year and 10th time overall was the women's cross country team, which posted a 3.57 GPA over the previous spring and fall semesters.

2017-18 scholarship winners

'54 Griz Football Scholarship:
* Josh Horner (football)

Harry F. Adams Scholarship:
* Alex Mustard (track and field)

Col. Thomas M. Alison, USAF (Ret.) Memorial Scholarship:
* Cole Rosling (football)

Harriet Anderson Memorial Athletic Scholarship:
* Emma Andrews (track and field)

Ronald and Julia Blake Memorial:
* Jonathan Eastwood (track and field)
* Hana Feilzer (track and field)
* Morgan Johnson (softball)
* Allie Lucas (soccer)
* Carla Nicosia (track and field)
* Sterling Reneau (track and field)

Blaine and Ellen Bloomgren Family Scholarship:
* Nicole Anskaitis (track and field)

Bill and Phyllis Bouchee Family Football Scholarship:
* Jed Nagler (football)

Erika Camp Memorial Athletic Scholarship:
* Madi Schoening (women's basketball)

Shaun and Mary Ann Corette Athletic Scholarship:
* Ana Carbo (women's tennis)
* Ludvig Hallgren (men's tennis)
* Michaela Hood (softball)
* Stanzi Stuijt (women's tennis)

Melinda and Herb Depp Athletic Scholarship:
Mykaela Hammer (volleyball)
Bobby Moorehead (men's basketball)
Kari Opatz (golf)
McKenzie Phillips (softball)
Markell Sanders (football)

Ekegren Education Scholarship:
Maddy Emerick (soccer)

Dean Erhard Athletic Award in Cross Country and Track:
* Carly Smiedala (track and field)

Mike & Cathie Frellick Lady Griz Basketball Scholarship:
* Emma Stockholm (women's basketball)

Julie Deming Memorial Scholarship:
* Kayleigh Valley (women's basketball)

Mike & Cathie Frellick Softball Scholarship:
* Delene Colburn (softball)

GSA License Plate Scholarship:
* Colin Bingham (football)
* Sydney Stites (softball)

Janet and Michelle Hainline Scholarship:
* Emily Cheroske (track and field)

Harrington Family Athletic Scholarship:
* Alexander Canellopoulos (men's tennis)

Anne and Warren Hill Athletic Scholarship:
* Hannah Coburn (track and field)

Sylvia Jensen Athletic Scholarship:
* Payton Agnew (soccer)

Michael R. Jorgensen Endowment:
* Josh Sandry (football)

John Kolendich Memorial Scholarship:
* Robert Luke (football)
* Tucker Schye (football)
* Angel Villenueva (football)

Ernest L. & Ruth A. Kradolfer Scholarship:
* Mariah Harvey (track and field)

Douglas LeBrun Track and Field Scholarship:
* Charlie Bush (track and field)

Katherine Markette-John Schuler Scholarship:
* Alycia Sims (women's basketball)

Markovich Family Athletic Scholarship:
* John Nguyen (football)
* Nicole Anskaitis (track and field)

Colleen Marks Athletic Scholarship:
* Shayne Cochran (football)

Frank W. Milburn Memorial:
* Gabby Martinez (softball)

The Chawky and Helen Miller Memorial Athletic Scholarship:
* Dani Walker (softball)

Moose Miller Football Scholarship:
* Reese Phillips (football)

Lefty Monson Family Men's Basketball Scholarship:
* Michael Oguine (men's basketball)

Elaine Murray/Copper Connection Scholarship:
* Kaitlin Crowell (soccer)

NABGA Scholarship:
* Gresch Jensen (football)

Frank Nugent Memorial Scholarship:
* Max Korkh (soccer)

Bob & Adeline O'Conner Memorial Athletic Scholarship:
* Kailey Norman (soccer)

John L. Olson Family Scholarship:
* Jerry Louie-McGee (football)

Mike and Sandy Persha Athletic Scholarship:
* Taylor Goligoski (women's basketball)

Jim Powell Memorial Scholarship for Men's Basketball:
* Jamar Akoh (men's basketball)

Naseby Rhinehart Endowment:
* Victor Casadevall (men's tennis)
* Lidia Dukic (women's tennis)
* Fabijan Krslovic (men's basketball)
* Baylee Barckley (golf)
* Jake Alme (track and field)

William (Biff) Hall Scholarship:
* Cy Sirmon (football)

Bruce E. Blattner Memorial Scholarship:
* Ashlyn Lyons (softball)

Lawrence A. (Bugs) Dwyer Memorial Scholarship:
* Emily Pittis (track and field)

Erik Ogren Memorial Scholarship:
* Sierra Anderson (women's basketball)

William (Robi) Robertson Memorial Athletic Scholarship:
* Dante Olson (football)

Brian and Karen Sippy Scholarship:
* Teigan Avery (golf)

B. Tim Stark Memorial Track and Field Scholarship:
* Jane Booth (track and field)

Larry and Kristin Stayner Family Athletic Scholarship:
* James Banks (football)

Stockman Bank Scholarship:
* Jesse Sims (football)

Max and Betty Swanson Memorial Athletic Scholarship:
* Emily Kardash (soccer)

Kole Swartz Legacy Scholarship:
* Evan Epperly (football)

Clark Wilson Memorial Scholarship:
* Cassie Laramee (volleyball)

University of Montana Athletics

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