April 3, 2008

Columbia, Mo. - Missouri senior gymnast Julie Abaray (Cincinnati, Ohio) has received the NCAA Ethnic Minority and Women's Enhancement Postgraduate Scholarship for Careers in Athletics announced by the NCAA today. She is one of 26 nation-wide winners who earned the $6,000 nonrenewable scholarship. With the scholarship, Abaray becomes the second gymnast in as many years to be awarded with the prestigious scholarship. Former Tiger Amanda Pezzullo received the award last year.

"It is exciting that the girls on the team have the initiative, experience and drive to get these awards," Abaray said. "It says a lot about the program and how we are brought up in it to be students and athletes at the same time."

The Ethnic Minority and Women's Enhancement Postgraduate Scholarship for Careers in Athletics programs were developed by the NCA Committee on Women's Athletics and the NCAA Minority Opportunities and Interests Committee. The NCAA awards 13 scholarships to ethnic minorities and 13 scholarships to female college graduates who will be entering their initial year of postgraduate studies. The applicant must be seeking admission or have been accepted into a sports administration or related program that will help the applicant obtain a career in intercollegiate athletics, such as athletics administrator, coach, athletic trainer or other career that provides a direct service to intercollegiate athletics.

"I'm really honored to be chosen for this scholarship," Abaray said. "I worked really hard last semester applying for graduate school and postgraduate scholarships so I am glad my hard work paid off."

Abaray is one of four current Tiger seniors and has been one of the Tigers top performers during her four years at Mizzou. Abaray is a three-time Academic All-Big 12 and NACGC/W Scholar athlete recipient and has matched her success in the classroom in the gym. Abaray has battled back from off-season knee surgery to compete on the beam in each of the last two meets, tallying a high of 9.800.

During her time as a Tiger, Abaray has accumulated career best of 9.925 on beam, 9.900 on floor and 9.850 on bars, making her one of the best three-event gymnasts in Tiger history. Abaray has also been awarded with the Varsity M Association's Female Student Athlete of the Year in 2006 and earned the Mizzou '39 Award this year. The Mizzou '39 Award is given to 39 Mizzou seniors by the Missouri Alumni Association. The award recognizes seniors at the University of Missouri based on their outstanding service, academic achievement and leadership. Abaray is one of two student athletes to earn the award this year and only the fourth student-athlete at Mizzou to have won the award. Abaray also serves as a member of the Student Athletic Advisory Council.

Abaray will graduate in May with a degree in Broadcast Journalism and continue her pursuit of a career in collegiate athletics with a pursuit of a Sports Administration degree.

Women's Enhancement Postgraduate Scholarship Awardees
Julie Abaray, Missouri
Lauren Askey, Lynchburg
Jillian Austin, Loyola Marymount
Amanda Friedline, Hope
Carolyn Hrusovsky, Bowling Green
Katie McKee, Redlands
Jennifer Myhre, Messiah
Rebekah Porter, New Hampshire
Natalie Schembra, Coker
Christin Shibley, San Diego State
Krystal Stein, Southern Illinois
Ashley Thomas LSU
Rachel Zollner, Metropolitan State

Ethnic Minority Enhancement Postgraduate Scholarship Awardees Lacee Carmon, Rice
Bryan Collier, Virginia Tech
Riana Czapla, Brockport State
Kelly Gonzalez, Guilford
Danetta Gutierrez, UC Santa Barbara
Chelsea Joslin, Ozarks (Arkansas)
Jaimie McFarlin, Washington U. in St. Louis
Rodolfo Mondragon, UC Irvine
Theodius, Oates, South Carolina-Aiken
Marco Pineda, Gonzaga
McKenzie Price, Oklahoma State
Sasha Sullivan, Denver
Brittney Vaughn, Arkansas