University of Northern Colorado Athletics
Two Bears Named Big Sky Scholar-Athletes
7/16/2025 12:05:00 PM | General, Softball, Men's Indoor Track & Field, Men's Outdoor Track & Field
DiNapoli and Rascon Recognized for Excellence in Academics and Athletics
GREELEY, Colo. – The Big Sky Conference announced its 2024-25 Scholar-Athlete selections on Wednesday, and two University of Northern Colorado standouts earned the prestigious honor: Isabelle DiNapoli (Softball) and Isaac Rascon (Men's Cross Country/Track & Field).
The Scholar-Athlete Award is presented annually to graduating student-athletes who have distinguished themselves through athletic performance and academic achievement. Honorees must have completed their eligibility or be a member of their graduating class, maintained a cumulative GPA of 3.2 or higher, participated in a Big Sky-sponsored sport for at least two seasons, and earned a varsity letter.
DiNapoli, a native of Littleton, Colorado, earned her degree in Sport & Exercise Science: Human Performance while excelling on the diamond for the Bears. She was a key contributor for UNC Softball during her career, known for her work ethic and leadership both on and off the field.
Rascon, from Middletown, California, also graduated with a degree in Sport & Exercise Science: Human Performance. A consistent performer for the Bears' cross country and track & field programs, Rascon's dedication to his sport and studies reflects the core values of Northern Colorado Athletics.
"Being named a Scholar-Athlete is a tremendous accomplishment, and we're incredibly proud of Izzy and Isaac for representing UNC with distinction in the classroom, in competition, and in our community," said Director of Athletics Darren Dunn.
The Big Sky honored standout student-athletes from across all member institutions who have made significant contributions both athletically and academically.
Below is the full list of honorees broken down by institution.
Eastern Washington
Kate Hatch, Volleyball, Masters in Wellness and Movement Sciences (Mesa, Ariz.)
Efton Chism III, Football, Health and Physical Education (Monroe, Wash.)
Idaho
Jenna Bruggeman, Women's Golf, Art and Architecture (Edmonton, Alberta)
Tommy McCormick, Football, Medical Sciences (Fallon, Nev.)
Idaho State
Jamie Streit, Volleyball, Education; Interdisciplinary Studies (Pinedale, Wyo.)
Brandon Walker, Men's XC/T&F, Sports & Exercise Science (Boise, Idaho)
Montana
Charley Boone, Soccer, Finance (Seattle, Wash.)
Trevin Gradney, Football, Business Administration (Billings, Mont.)
Montana State
Grace Gilbreth Women's XC/T&F, Economics (Bozeman, Mont.)
Tommy Mellott, Football, Financial Engineering (Butte, Mont.)
Northern Arizona
Maggi Congdon, Women's XC/T&F, Civil Engineering (Steamboat Springs, Colo.)
Drew Bosley, Men's XC/T&F, Educational Foundations (Thiensville, Wisc.)
Northern Colorado
Isabelle DiNapoli, Softball, Sport & Exercise Science: Human Performance (Littleton, Colo.)
Isaac Rascon, Men's XC/TF, Sport & Exercise Science: Human Performance (Middletown, Calif.)
Portland State
Nika Beukers, Women's Tennis, Business Administration: Marketing (Den Bosch, Netherlands)
Abdi Ibrahim, Men's XC/T&F, Nonprofit Leadership (Portland, Ore.)
Sacramento State
Sneha Sharan, Women's Golf, Psychology (Bengaluru, India)
Miles Grant, Men's Track & Field, Art (Portland, Ore.)
Weber State
Kate Payne, Volleyball, Master of Education, (Lehi, Utah)
Tristan Sarap, Men's Tennis, Professional Sales (San Diego, Calif.)
Cal Poly
Charles Lincoln, Football, Agriculture (San Luis Obispo, Calif.)
UC Davis
Angelo Genetti, Football, Political Science (Linden, Calif.)
For complete coverage of UNC Athletics, check out the official homepage at uncbears.com.
The Scholar-Athlete Award is presented annually to graduating student-athletes who have distinguished themselves through athletic performance and academic achievement. Honorees must have completed their eligibility or be a member of their graduating class, maintained a cumulative GPA of 3.2 or higher, participated in a Big Sky-sponsored sport for at least two seasons, and earned a varsity letter.
DiNapoli, a native of Littleton, Colorado, earned her degree in Sport & Exercise Science: Human Performance while excelling on the diamond for the Bears. She was a key contributor for UNC Softball during her career, known for her work ethic and leadership both on and off the field.
Rascon, from Middletown, California, also graduated with a degree in Sport & Exercise Science: Human Performance. A consistent performer for the Bears' cross country and track & field programs, Rascon's dedication to his sport and studies reflects the core values of Northern Colorado Athletics.
"Being named a Scholar-Athlete is a tremendous accomplishment, and we're incredibly proud of Izzy and Isaac for representing UNC with distinction in the classroom, in competition, and in our community," said Director of Athletics Darren Dunn.
The Big Sky honored standout student-athletes from across all member institutions who have made significant contributions both athletically and academically.
Below is the full list of honorees broken down by institution.
Eastern Washington
Kate Hatch, Volleyball, Masters in Wellness and Movement Sciences (Mesa, Ariz.)
Efton Chism III, Football, Health and Physical Education (Monroe, Wash.)
Idaho
Jenna Bruggeman, Women's Golf, Art and Architecture (Edmonton, Alberta)
Tommy McCormick, Football, Medical Sciences (Fallon, Nev.)
Idaho State
Jamie Streit, Volleyball, Education; Interdisciplinary Studies (Pinedale, Wyo.)
Brandon Walker, Men's XC/T&F, Sports & Exercise Science (Boise, Idaho)
Montana
Charley Boone, Soccer, Finance (Seattle, Wash.)
Trevin Gradney, Football, Business Administration (Billings, Mont.)
Montana State
Grace Gilbreth Women's XC/T&F, Economics (Bozeman, Mont.)
Tommy Mellott, Football, Financial Engineering (Butte, Mont.)
Northern Arizona
Maggi Congdon, Women's XC/T&F, Civil Engineering (Steamboat Springs, Colo.)
Drew Bosley, Men's XC/T&F, Educational Foundations (Thiensville, Wisc.)
Northern Colorado
Isabelle DiNapoli, Softball, Sport & Exercise Science: Human Performance (Littleton, Colo.)
Isaac Rascon, Men's XC/TF, Sport & Exercise Science: Human Performance (Middletown, Calif.)
Portland State
Nika Beukers, Women's Tennis, Business Administration: Marketing (Den Bosch, Netherlands)
Abdi Ibrahim, Men's XC/T&F, Nonprofit Leadership (Portland, Ore.)
Sacramento State
Sneha Sharan, Women's Golf, Psychology (Bengaluru, India)
Miles Grant, Men's Track & Field, Art (Portland, Ore.)
Weber State
Kate Payne, Volleyball, Master of Education, (Lehi, Utah)
Tristan Sarap, Men's Tennis, Professional Sales (San Diego, Calif.)
Cal Poly
Charles Lincoln, Football, Agriculture (San Luis Obispo, Calif.)
UC Davis
Angelo Genetti, Football, Political Science (Linden, Calif.)
For complete coverage of UNC Athletics, check out the official homepage at uncbears.com.
Players Mentioned
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