Julie Hufnagel Awarded NCAA Postgraduate Scholarship

Denison's Julie Hufnagel was honored recently as the school's 34th NCAA Postgraduate Scholarship recipient. The senior cross country/track and field standout will receive a $7,500 scholarship towards postgraduate work.

The NCAA Postgraduate Scholarship program was created in 1964 to honor outstanding student-athletes from NCAA member institutions. The NCAA awards scholarships of $7,500 each year to student-athletes who have excelled academically and athletically and are in their final season of intercollegiate varsity athletic competition. The student-athlete must carry a 3.2 cumulative grade-point average, be a distinct member of a varsity team, intend to enroll in a graduate degree program and be an outstanding citizen.

A native of Ann Arbor, Mich., Hufnagel becomes the 34th recipient of an NCAA Postgraduate Scholarship. That total ranks Denison University fourth among all NCAA Division III institutions. In her career at Denison, Hufnagel has been a standout in the classroom and on the course.

She boasts a 3.94 grade point average and is a three time first-team all-region selection and is a three time first-team All-North Coast Athletic Conference choice. Last fall she won her first individual conference championship, placing first at the NCAC women's cross country championships. She followed up her win at the conference championships with 31st place finish at the 2003 NCAA Division III Championships. For placing in the top-35, Hufnagel was named to the Division III women's All-American squad for the first time in her career.

In addition to her stellar career in cross country, Hufnagel keeps busy over the winter and spring seasons as a distance runner on the Denison indoor and outdoor track and field teams. At the recent NCAC Indoor Championships, Hufnagel won the 1500 meters and helped the Big Red to their second consecutive indoor conference championship.

A biology major, Hufnagel is planning on studying physical therapy in graduate school. At Denison she was a part of the "Hope for Autism" group in which she worked with autistic children on a weekly basis. She was also involved in Big Brothers/Big Sisters, Mortar Board senior honorary and the Student Athlete Advisory Council. Off campus, Hufnagel has volunteered at various hospitals and rehabilitation centers working with autistic and special needs children. Julie is the daughter of Alan and Michele Hufnagel.