CHAMPAIGN, Ill. - The Big Ten Postgraduate Scholarship award winners were announced by the league office on Thursday. Fighting Illini wrestling's Michael Gunther and softball's Morgan Scivally received the prestigious awards from the conference.
Gunther appeared in ten matches during his tenure in the Orange and Blue. Most notably this season he recorded a career-high three wins by fall (pin) all being roughly two minutes or less. His fastest fall came at the Michigan State Open on Nov. 5, 2022 where he pinned his opponent in just 41 seconds. He earned his first win back on Nov. 2, 2020 at the MSU Open where he won via 5-2 decision. The Libertyville, Ill. native earned Academic All-Big Ten honors all three years he was eligible.
During her four years in Champaign-Urbana, Scivally made appearances not only in the circle but in the batter's box during her career. Playing in 29 games during her time at Illinois, the senior tallied a strikeout each season in the circle while also logging three hits, an RBI and a run during her career. The Kankakee, Ill., native got her first start of 2023 during the Illini's victory over Saint Francis (Pa.) and the senior recorded a hit, a run and a stolen base. Scivally also served as the SAAC President in 2022-23.
Each Big Ten institution developed its own on-campus selection process when awarding the scholarships. Student-athletes must have maintained at least a 3.2 grade-point average (GPA), demonstrated leadership qualities, served as an excellent role model and intended to continue their academic work beyond their baccalaureate degree at a graduate degree program.
The Big Ten Postgraduate Scholarship will be used to pay expenses of the student's postgraduate education to include such related activities as research and teaching, as well as other expenses such as tuition, fees, room and board, required course-related supplies and books. To retain the scholarship, the recipient must be accepted into a full-time graduate degree program within three years from the fall semester after selection.
