By Jayson Henderson

Kansas State’s Loren Hinkle (volleyball) and Joe Placek (track and field) were among 28 student-athletes selected by the Big 12 Conference to receive the 2023-24 Dr. Prentice Gautt Postgraduate Scholarships. Hinkle, a three-time Academic All-Big 12 honoree, recently earned her degree in life sciences and was named to the Academic All-District First Team by the College Sports Communicators in 2022. Placek, a three-time USTFCCCA All-Academic Athlete, was also recognized on the CSC Academic All-District VII and Academic All-Big 12 teams.

The Dr. Prentice Gautt Scholarship honors the late Big 12 Conference staff member and student services pioneer. Recipients of this prestigious award must maintain a minimum 3.2 GPA and have participated in at least two years of intercollegiate athletics. Since the scholarship’s inception, the Big 12 has provided over $3.9 million for postgraduate education.