INDIANAPOLIS – UIC redshirt senior Alex Bashqawi has been named the GEICO Horizon League Winter Scholar-Athlete of the Season, the conference announced on Wednesday, April 3.

Bashqawi, who runs cross country and track and field, is the male recipient of the award for winter 2018-19. A graduate student in the mechanical and computer engineering program, Bashqawi has maintained a spotless 4.0 grade-point average during his undergraduate and graduate studies at UIC. He was recently named to the Horizon League All-Academic Team and has received the honor multiple times in both cross country and track and field. Bashqawi has also been a member of the Horizon League Academic Honor Roll in every eligible semester.

"Alex continues to impress me on a daily basis," said UIC head coach Ashley Lucas. "He consistently gives 110% in practice, the classroom and competition, and it shows. He leads by example and his teammates definitely look up to him. I'm very proud of everything , academically and athletically, that he's already accomplished and can't wait to see what more he has left to do."

During the recently completed indoor track and field season, Bashqawi excelled for the Flames in multiple mid-distance events. The Elmhurst, Ill., native really rose to the occasion at the Horizon League Indoor Track & Field Championships, where he was named Co-Outstanding Performer of the meet. He won the indoor mile in 4:19.35 and anchored UIC's distance medley relay with a 1,600-meter split of 4:16.56. Additionally, Bashqawi finished second and posted a PR in the 800-meter run at the League Championship in 1:53.62. Earlier in the season, Bashqawi posted a PR in the 1,000-meter run at the Mike Lints Alumni Open in 2:31.09.
 
The Horizon League recognizes student-athletes at the conclusion of each of its three athletic seasons as the Scholar-Athlete of the Season. To be eligible for Scholar-Athlete of the Season consideration, a student-athlete must be a member of that sports current year all-academic team and is selected based on a combination of athletic and academic achievement by the League's faculty athletics representatives.

The female recipient announced Wednesday is Molly McNamara of the Cleveland State's swimming and diving team.

Bashqawi and the Flames began the outdoor portion of the schedule last weekend at Eastern Illinois' Big Blue Classic. UIC will next hit the track on Saturday at Illinois State. Field events begin at 10 a.m. and running events begin at noon.