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Iowa City, Iowa — University of Iowa Student-Athletes Academic Services (SAAS) has recognized sophomore Alex Marinelli (wrestling) senior Megan Gustafson (women’s basketball) as December’s male and female student-athletes of the month.
The honor, voted by their peers, recognizes student-athletes who have excelled not only in their sports, but in the classroom as well.
Marinelli went 7-0 in the month of December. He defeated three ranked wrestlers, including the No.2 wrestler in the country. Marinelli won the 165-pound bracket at the Midlands Championships. He scored bonus points in four of his seven wins and he improved to 11-0 this season. Marinelli is currently ranked No. 2 in the country at 165-pounds.
Marinelli and the Hawkeyes travel to Minnesota where they will take on the Gophers on Sunday, Jan. 13 at 12 p.m. (CT) on the Big Ten Network.
Gustafson averaged 29.8 points and 13.0 rebounds to lead the Hawkeyes to a 5-1 record in the month of December. She shot 71 percent from the field and 80 percent from the free throw line over the six contests. Gustafson was honored by the Big Ten Conference in every week last month, including three Player of the Week honors and two Honor Roll selections. She became Iowa’s all-time leading scorer on Dec. 30, besting both the male (2,116 points) and female (2,102 points) records. Gustafson has 2,124 career points. Gustafson currently leads the NCAA in double-doubles (11), points per game (26.8), total points (321), and field goals made (132).
Gustafson and the Hawkeyes take on Wisconsin on Monday Jan. 7, at 7 p.m. (CT).