By Nicole Praga, SDA Communications Student Assistant
Being a student-athlete is a challenging task. Countless hours are not only spent on the field and in the weight room, but also balancing homework and studying for exams.
Nearly 60 Sun Devil student-athletes are going above and beyond this challenge as they are students in Barrett, the Honors College at ASU, one of the preeminent honors colleges in the nation.
In 2015, New York Times columnist Frank Bruni called Barrett "the gold standard" among honors colleges in the nation. Students, especially student-athletes, feel they have the "best of both worlds" as they enjoy the Research 1 and Pac-12 environment of ASU, all while having the advantage of living and learning in a community of motivated students.
Students in Barrett take extra coursework and complete a thesis by their senior year in order to graduate with honors.
Not only is @Kat_Simonovic an Olympian, she also excels in her studies as a @barretthonors member! pic.twitter.com/r2AI4jxByo
— ASU Swimming&Diving (@ASUSwimDive) September 26, 2016
Redshirt freshman quarterback Brady White said Barrett was a big selling point for him when he was recruited by the Sun Devil football staff.
"When I saw Barrett and got to experience the honors college, I was really excited about it," the Newhall, Calif. native said. "It is an incredibly valuable experience that I think will benefit me in the future."
"Being a student-athlete and a part of a highly regarded honors college is a challenge, but one that I really enjoy," he added.
Senior swimmer Kat Simonovic said her competitive demeanor in the pool also transfers to the classroom, leading her to ultimately add the honors college to her plate. Simonovic, a Mesa, Ariz. native, recently competed for Serbia in the 2016 Rio Summer Olympic Games.
"I had higher expectations for myself and I wanted to challenge my learning experience," she said.
Barrett tops Stanford, MIT and Duke in the number of National Merit scholars recruited to the university and enrolls more National Hispanic scholars than any other institution.
"Barrett is one of the top honors colleges in the nation," said redshirt freshman running back Nick Ralston, an Argyle, Texas native. "I think that going through the program while being an athlete will help us later in life."
The 2016-2017 school year has seen the highest Barrett student-athlete enrollment of all time.Our own Tanner Hall is one of 8 wrestlers and nearly 60 Sun Devils that are @barretthonors members #SunDevilScholars pic.twitter.com/TFqXiNzqWq
— Sun Devil Wrestling (@ASUWrestling) September 22, 2016
"I am proud to be an honors student and I would recommend Barrett for anyone who is looking for the best ASU experience," Simonovic said.
2016 SUN DEVIL STUDENT-ATHLETES IN BARRETT
Cross Country: John Nelson, Jon Reniewicki, Alexander Stevens, Alexis Nichols, Megan Reniewicki
Football: Nick Ralston, Owen Rogers, Cameron Smith, Tre Turner, Brady White, Kyle Williams
Track and Field: Michael Renner, Michael Titherington, Kaylee Antill, Vanessa Davis, Magdalyn Ewen, Samantha Noennig, Alexandra Williams
Wrestling: Alex D'Aloisio, Jack Duval, Tanner Hall, Michael Oramas, Jacen Petersen, Conner Small, Chance Stolz, Joshua Weinstein
Women's Basketball: Sydney Goodson, Jamie Ruden, Robbi Ryan
Beach Volleyball: Frances Giedraitis, Ellyson Lundberg, Kara Woodard
Gymnastics: Corinne Belkoff, Jessica Ginn, Eileen Imbus, Katelyn Lentz, Heather Udowitch
Lacrosse: Kristina Coppinger, Logan Millican, Campbell Poe
Softball: Sierra Blair, Taylor Blair, Miranda Farricker, Ciera Schick
Soccer: Christina Edwards, Olivia Hernandez, Emma Malsy, Ashley March, Jessica Raybe, Madison Stark, Natalie Stephens, Annie Warren
Swimming: Katarina Simonovic, Heikki Makikallio, Joao Ama, Kevin Benavidez
Triathlon: Delaney Bucker, Sarah Quintero, Lillie Robinson, Kendal Williams
Volleyball: Mmachi Nwoke