Blake Strode Named SEC Co-Scholar Athlete of the Year

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Razorback junior Blake Strode was named the Southeastern Conference Co-Scholar Athlete of the Year by the conference office Wednesday. Strode is No. 90 in the latest player rankings. He shared the conference award with Kevin Dessauer of LSU.

Strode has maintained a 3.96 cumulative grade point average as a double major in international economics and business and Spanish. He is enrolled in the Honors College and is a recipient of the prestigious Bodenhamer Fellowship. In 2007, he was named CoSIDA Academic All-District.

On the courts, Strode is a two-time All-SEC honoree, garnering second-team honors as a freshman and first-team recognition last season. Strode has totaled 16 wins this season playing at the top spot in Arkansas’ lineup. The St. Louis, Mo., native leads the team with 19 doubles victories.

Last season, he advanced to the second round of the 2007 NCAA Singles Championship and also earned an invitation, with partner Colin Mascall, into the 2007 NCAA Doubles Championship draw. Strode recently earned his 70th career singles win.

On Thursday, Strode and the No. 46 Razorbacks will play No. 31 Vanderbilt in the first round of the SEC Championship at the George M. Billingsley Tennis Center. First serve is scheduled for 3:30 p.m. Log on to www.hogwired.com for live stats and more news about Arkansas tennis.