Georgia’s Nic Fink Wins Joel Eaves Scholar Athlete Award for 2014-2015 Seasons

ATHENS, Ga. — University of Georgia swimmer Nicolas Fink and equestrian rider Morgan Justiss have been named the recipients of the 2014-15 Joel Eaves Scholar Athlete Award.

The award is presented to the male and female student-athletes with the highest GPA in the athletic program entering the fall semester of their senior year (as defined by hours) on all courses taken at the University of Georgia. Additionally, a student-athlete must have earned at least two varsity letters to be eligible for the award.

Eaves was the Director of Athletics at UGA from 1963 to 1979, and the award was established with the aim of acknowledging the contributions he made during his tenure while also highlighting the academic achievements of current student-athletes.

Fink, a native of Morristown, N.J., has a 3.77 GPA in Agricultural Engineering and has been named to the SEC Academic Honor Roll during each of his first three seasons at Georgia. He is a swimming and diving representative to the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee, a member of UGA’s Leadership Academy, a fixture on the SEC and Athletic Director’s Honor Roll and a First-Team Scholar All-American as named by the College Swimming Coaches Association of America. Fink has also etched his name in the Georgia swimming record books, holding top times in the 100 breaststroke and on the 400 freestyle and 200 and 400 medley relays. He also ranks second in the 200 breaststroke and 200 individual medley. Fink is a three-time SEC champion in the 100 breaststroke, the first Bulldog to accomplish that feat. On the international stage, Fink has represented the U.S. in the 2014 Pan Pacific Championships in Australia, the 2013 World Championships in Spain, the 2013 Duel in the Pool in Scotland, and the 2011 Junior World Championships in Peru.

Justiss, a native of Alpharetta, Ga., is a Marketing major with a 3.97 GPA. She has also been named to the SEC Academic Honor Roll for three seasons, as well as the National Collegiate Equestrian Association Honor Roll. She is the recipient of the Ramsey Scholarship for Academic and Athletic Excellence. Justiss, a Western-style rider, has competed on the national circuit and qualified for the AQHA World Show in amateur Horsemanship, Trail and Performance Halter mares.

Fink and Justiss will be recognized during the pregame ceremonies at the football game against Troy on Sept. 20. Kickoff is set for noon.