AZUSA, Calif. - Azusa Pacific student-athletes Jaci Maze and Jessica Kampman Walczak have been honored as 2024-25 PacWest Scholar Athletes of the Year in women's soccer and women's cross country, respectively, the conference office announced this afternoon. The annual award, selected by College Sports Communicators, recognizes one standout student-athlete in each PacWest sport who has excelled both academically and athletically.

Maze, a senior biochemistry major, boasts a perfect 4.0 GPA and was named First Team All-PacWest for her outstanding play on the pitch this season. She finished second in the league in total points (22), helping guide the Cougars to another winning campaign. Her ability to balance elite-level academics with high-performance competition makes her one of the conference's most well-rounded student-athletes.

Kampman Walczak, currently pursuing her Master's in Social Work, also carries a 4.0 GPA and was the 2024 PacWest Cross Country Champion. The graduate standout has continued to set the standard for APU distance runners, leading by example both in the classroom and on the course. Her Scholar Athlete of the Year honor adds to a long list of accolades earned during her decorated Cougar career.

It was one of only four institutions with multiple selections to this year's Scholar Athlete list, joining Point Loma, Dominican, and Fresno Pacific. From this prestigious group of 15 honorees, one male and one female will be selected as the PacWest's overall Scholar Athletes of the Year next week.