University of Kentucky Celebrates Academic Achievements of Student-Athletes

Courtesy UK Athletics

A total of 122 current and former University of Kentucky student-athletes are set to complete academic requirements this week or in the summer term, marking another milestone for UK Athletics. Alongside the 41 student-athletes who graduated in December, UK Athletics is poised to celebrate 163 graduates during the 2023-24 school year.

Among the graduates are 18 Wildcats earning their master’s degrees, showcasing their dedication both on and off the field. Notable names include Brennan Canada from men’s basketball, Jensen Castle from women’s golf, and Tori Orcutt from women’s swimming and diving.

Additionally, three Wildcats—Zack Brown and Riley Mahan from baseball, and Enzo Mauriz from men’s soccer—are expected to graduate after participating in UK Athletics’ Post-Eligibility program, a testament to the university’s commitment to supporting student-athletes beyond their playing careers.

The academic achievements of this graduating class are matched by their success in sports, contributing to three team NCAA Championships, 11 conference regular-season championships, and seven conference tournament championships during their time at Kentucky. Moreover, 11 graduates have earned All-America honors, and 19 have received all-conference recognition.

Under the leadership of this class, UK Athletics achieved a school-record No. 9 final ranking in the 2022 NACDA Directors’ Cup all-sports standings and maintained an impressive 18th-place finish in 2023.

Mitch Barnhart, UK Director of Athletics, expressed pride in the graduates’ dedication and acknowledged the crucial role played by the Center for Academic and Tutorial Services (CATS) staff and coaches in supporting their academic endeavors.

Fans can look forward to seeing many of these graduates return to their respective fields of play in the upcoming 2024-25 season as they pursue graduate school or additional undergraduate certifications.

UK’s commitment to academic excellence is evident in its recent achievements, including consecutive semesters with a 3.0 cumulative GPA for scholarship student-athletes, numerous selections to academic honor rolls, and record-breaking performances in graduation success rates and Academic All-American awards.

Below is the list of expected graduates:

Baseball (17)

Devin Burkes

Zack Brown #

Evan Byers

Reuben Church

Ty Crittenberger

Ryan Hagenow

Zach Hise

Robert Hogan

Johnny Hummel

Nick Lopez

Riley Mahan #

Nolan McCarthy

Ryan Nicholson

Dominic Niman

Cameron O’Brien

Trey Pooser

Grant Smith

Men’s Basketball (4)

Brennan Canada – master’s degree

Tre Mitchell

Antonio Reeves

Kareem Watkins Jr.

Women’s Basketball (5)

Nyah Leveretter

Brooklynn Miles

Ajae Petty

Eniya Russell

Maddie Scherr

Football (9)

Michael Bernard – master’s degree

Wilson Berry

Zion Childress

Jordan Dingle

Ronald Gaines, III

Ramon Jefferson – master’s degree

Joshua Jones *

Chance Poore – master’s degree

Alex Raynor

Jack Varga – master’s degree

Jai Williams

La’Vell Wright

Men’s Golf (5)

Alex Goff – master’s degree

Campbell Kremer

Jackson LaLonde

Cooper Parks

Tanner Parks

Women’s Golf (4)

Jensen Castle – master’s degree

Laney Frye

María Villanueva Aperribay â€“ master’s degree

Marissa Wenzler – master’s degree

Gymnastics (5)

Bailey Bunn

Hailey Davis

Arianna Patterson

Elyssa Roberts *

Raena Worley

Rifle (1)

Emmie Sellers

Men’s Soccer (4)

Aboubacar Camara *

Ben Damge

Andrew Erickson

Enzo Mauriz #

Women’s Soccer (8)

Mia Arias

Lainey Burman

Maria Castaldo * â€“ master’s degree

Paige Copeland

Taya Hjorth *

Stephanie Stull â€“ master’s degree

Ulfa Ulfarsdottir

Hadley Williams

Softball (7)

Erin Coffel

Meeko Harrison

Vanessa Nesby

Stephanie Schoonover

Erica Thulen

Margaret Tobias

Jaden Vickers – master’s degree

STUNT (8)

Damiya Bostic

Gabbi Freeman

MJ Garrett

Rachel Hammond

Isabella Holloway

Karley Kalchbrenner

Jordyn Thomas *

Alayna Tobo

Men’s Swimming and Diving (1)

Zane Rosely

Women’s Swimming and Diving (10)

Kaitlyn Bacik

Caroline Benda

Torie Buerger

Sofie Davis

Megan Drumm

Bridget Engel

Leah Luckett

Claire McDaniels

Tori Orcutt – master’s degree

Kristyn Sabol

Men’s Tennis (3)

Taha Baadi

Josh Lapadat

Tate Sandman

Women’s Tennis (3)

Makayla Mills

Maialen Morante – master’s degree

Elizabeth Stevens

Men’s Track and Field/Cross Country (11)

Jake Allen

Ryan Avare

Keaton Daniel

Matt Duvall

DaRoyce Flemons

Dustin Horter

John Kruzel

Harper Moore

Beck O’Daniel – master’s degree

Dennis Ohene-Adu

Dalton Shepler

Women’s Track and Field/Cross Country (13)

Maria Anderson

Patrice Cornelious

Charity Hufnagel

Katelyn Hutchison – master’s degree

Jaida Knowles *

Jania Martin

Kristen Masucci

Mahogany Mobley

Seven Simms

Sydney Steely – master’s degree

Reynei Wallace

Meg Wilson

Iantha Wright – master’s degree

Volleyball (1)

Mariah Walker

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