CHAPEL HILL, N.C. – North Carolina student-athletes who are 2011-12 recipients of two prestigious honors – Athletic Director’s Scholar-Athletes and Tar Heel Leaders of Distinction – were recognized Thursday during halftime of the UNC men’s basketball team’s win over visiting NC State at the Dean E. Smith Center.

An AD’s Scholar-Athlete is selected from each varsity squad, representing the best of academics and athletics. The Leader of Distinction award is the highest recognition bestowed by the Richard A. Baddour Carolina Leadership Academy following a rigorous evaluation process.

Six student-athletes were recognized as recipients of both awards for this school year. They are: Kevin Nadeau (men’s fencing), Elizabeth Lindley (gymnastics), Blair Meiggs (rowing), Kirk Urso (men’s soccer), Kelli Wheeler (softball) and Shinann Featherston (women’s tennis).

Also honored as AD’s Scholar-Athletes were Jacob Stallings (baseball), Tyler Zeller (men’s basketball), Laura Broomfield (women’s basketball), Heather Van Wallendael (women’s fencing), Taryn Gjurich (field hockey), Curtis Byrd (football), Patrick Barrett (men’s golf), Allie White (women’s golf), Logan Corey (men’s lacrosse), Laura Zimmerman (women’s lacrosse), Victor Leclere (men’s swimming and diving), Jenna Moore (women’s swimming and diving), Rebecca Crabb (women’s soccer), Taylor Meyer (men’s tennis), Adam Cunningham (men’s track and field), Ashley Verplank (women’s track and field), Shelbey Bleke (volleyball) and Kyle Kiss (wrestling).

Honored as Tar Heel Leaders of Distinction were Camilla Powierza (women’s fencing), Katelyn Falgowski (field hockey), Marcus Holman (men’s lacrosse), Becky Lynch (women’s lacrosse), Emma Shaw (rowing), Jordan Gafa (men’s soccer), Jose Hernandez (men’s tennis), Haley Hemm (women’s tennis), Ariel Roberts (women’s track and field) and Marisa Dobbins (women’s track and field).

(Story reposted with permission from UNC Department of Athletics)