Verdugo, Valentic Named Big West Scholar Athletes of the Year

The stories of all 22 scholar-athletes will be featured on ESPN+ on Wednesday, Aug. 14.

IRVINE, Calif. – The Big West announced the 22 individuals named Big West Scholar-Athletes of the Year on Wednesday. Ryan Verdugo (baseball) and Helena Valentic (women's track & field/cross country) were each recognized as Cal State Bakersfield Athletics' award winners. Two student-athletes from each institution – one male and one female – were honored by their institutions and the conference for their accomplishments in competition, in the classroom and in their communities.

During the 2024 Baseball season, Ryan Verdugo had an outstanding performance on the mound, finishing first in the conference in innings played with 89.1. Verdugo finished fourth in the Big West in ERA (2.72) and third in strikeouts (93). The South El Monte, Calif. native had back-to-back weeks of Big West Pitcher of the Week honors. Verdugo set a CSUB record when he became the first `Runner pitcher in program history to allow zero hits through seven innings. Throughout the year, he completed 84 community service hours with organizations such as the North West Little Leagues, Christmas Parade, Team Impact, Hospice and Alzheimer events. Verdugo was selected in the 12th round and 373rd pick of the 2024 MLB Draft by the Houston Astros.

Helena Valentic holds the school records in the 3,000m steeplechase, 2,000m steeplechase, 3,000m (indoors), and 4k (cross country). Valentic is also in the CSUB top 10 for the 6k (cross country), 3,000m, 5k (cross country), 5,000m, and 1,500m. She holds the #9 fastest time in her home country of Croatia. The senior finished fourth in the 3,000m steeplechase at the 2024 Big West Track and Field Championships. Valentic had 87 community service hours during the 2023-24 year with various organizations such as the State Fair, MAAD Run, Bakersfield Parade, and Leadership Day of Service.

Valentic finished up her master's degree in health care administration and plans to start a physical therapy practice in Croatia. She graduated this past spring with a 4.0 GPA on the semester.

The Big West Scholar-Athletes of the Year represent nearly 2,250 Big West student-athletes that made the Commissioner's Honor Roll, which requires a 3.0 GPA or better. Nearly half of those on the Honor Roll had a 3.5 GPA or better.

The stories and accomplishments of all 22 outstanding scholar-athletes will be featured on ESPN+ beginning on Wednesday, Aug. 14, 2024. The Big West Academic Honors Show premieres at Noon (PT).

All programs aired on ESPN networks are available on the ESPN App, accessible on computers, smartphones, tablets, and connected devices to fans who receive their video subscription through an authenticated provider.

~GoRunners.com~

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Players Mentioned

Helena Valentic: Distance; 5' 4"; Senior

#46 Ryan Verdugo: RHP; 6' 2"; Junior; R/R

Players Mentioned

Helena Valentic
: 5' 4"; Senior
: Distance

#46 Ryan Verdugo
: 6' 2"; Junior; R/R
: RHP

Players Mentioned

Helena Valentic

#46 Ryan Verdugo

Players Mentioned

Helena Valentic

#46 Ryan Verdugo