Bush and Deweyert receive athletic department scholar-athlete awards

OLIVET, Mich. – Seniors Jarod Bush and Nicole Deweyert are the recipients of the Olivet College Walter B. Sprandel and Linda Hoover awards for the 2019-20 academic year. These awards are presented annually to the top male and female senior student-athlete for his and her contributions to the college in athletic performance, exemplary conduct and high academic achievement.

"I am extremely honored to present these awards to Jarod and Nicole," said Olivet athletic director Ryan Shockey. "They have truly embodied what it means to be an Olivet College student-athlete with their hard work both in competition and in the classroom. Thank you Nicole and Jarod for all you have done for Olivet College."

With their selection, Bush and Deweyert are now Olivet's nominees for the Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association's (MIAA) Albert L. Deal and Shelia Wallace Kovalchik Scholar-Athlete awards. These awards recognize the MIAA's top graduating male and female seniors who have excelled in academics and athletics, as well as displayed outstanding leadership in their respective communities. Each MIAA school is allowed to nominate one student-athlete for each award, and a committee will select the recipient in late June.

JAROD BUSH

Bush earned four varsity letters and started 41 consecutive games at left tackle for the football team. He started his Comet career in 2016, and helped Olivet win an outright MIAA title. Bush blocked for quarterback Braden Black, who was named the MIAA Most Valuable Offensive Player. In 2018, he was selected team captain and received the George Pyne award for being the team's top offensive lineman. In his final season in the red and white in 2019, Bush earned All-MIAA First Team honors.

Off the football field, Bush was a member of Gamma Iota Sigma and Adelphic Alpha Pi, and was part of the football team's leadership council. During his time at Olivet, he participated in several community service projects, including a trip to Port Austin to demolish old buildings to create spaces for new living areas.

An insurance and risk management major, Bush has been named to the college's Dean's List and MIAA Academic Honor Roll.

NICOLE DEWEYERT

Deweyert earned four varsity letters on the women's golf team. She was an All-MIAA First Team selection in 2017 and 2019, and All-MIAA Second Team selection in 2016 and 2018. In 2019-20, Deweyert received All-Great Lakes Region honors from the Women's Golf Coaches Association (WGCA). In a Comet uniform, she played in 68 career rounds and ranks No. 1 all-time with an 81.6 stroke average.

Off the golf course, Deweyert was a member of Student-Athlete Advisory Committee, Women's Leadership Institute, President's Leadership Institute and Phi Epsilon Kappa honors society. She volunteered for Special Olympics at the state winter games in February and the Track and Field Day at Olivet in May 2019.

An exercise science major, Deweyert was named to the Olivet College President's or Dean's List every semester. She will be a four-time recipient of the MIAA Academic Honor Roll and All WGCA -American Scholar team.