Academics

Evans, Giannotti honored with 2014 McCoy Award

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Gymnast Adrian Evans and runner Emily Giannotti have been selected as the 2014 recipients of the Ernest B. McCoy Memorial Award.

The McCoy Award is presented annually to one senior female and one senior male student-athlete who have combined successful athletic participation with academic excellence. The award is named for the longtime dean of Penn State’s College of Physical Education, who also served as the University’s athletic director.

A native of Boulder Colo., Evans earned his second consecutive All-America honor on the pommel horse at the 2013 NCAA Men's Gymnastics Championships. Outside of the gym, the advertising major and 2014 team captain earned College Gymnastics Association All-America Scholar-Athlete honors the last three seasons, while also earning a spot on the Academic All-Big Ten team. Recently, he was selected as one of nine finalists for the 2014 Nissen-Emery Award. Widely regarded as one of the most prestigious honors in collegiate gymnastics, Evans is the 26th Nissen-Emery finalist in Penn State program history.

A Coudersport, Pa., native majoring in rehabilitation and human services, Giannotti has been a fixture on the Nittany Lion women’s track and cross country teams during her career. On the course, the long-distance runner has competed in three NCAA Cross Country Championships (2011-13), leading the Penn State contingent during the 2013 championships in Terre Haute, Ind.  Giannotti also earned All-Region status with a 21st-place finish at the 2012 NCAA Mid-Atlantic Regional, which the former All-Big Ten member helped the Nittany Lions win.On the national scene, Giannotti qualified for the 2013 NCAA Eastern Preliminary Round in the 10,000 meters  and for the 2012 edition of the meet in the steeplechase. A graduate student, she placed third in the 3,000-meter steeplechase in the USATF Junior Outdoor Championships.

Last Updated July 11, 2014

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