BETHLEHEM, Pa. - Lehigh junior Andrew Krentz has been named the Patriot League Scholar-Athlete of the Year for men’s tennis, it was announced on Wednesday. Krentz becomes Lehigh’s first Patriot League Scholar-Athlete in men’s tennis since 2004. He also is one of six student-athletes to be named to the Academic All-Patriot League team, an honor he has earned for the second straight year.
The Scholar-Athlete of the Year award and the Academic All-Patriot League teams are voted on by the league’s sports information directors, who are not permitted to vote to their student-athletes.
A three-year starter, Krentz served as co-captain for the Mountain Hawks in 2012, helping lead Lehigh to a 13-8 dual season and a second place finish in the Patriot League regular season standings. He posted a 12-8 singles record playing primarily at the No. 5 flight, and teamed with sophomore Timur Chernykh to go 10-10 at No. 3 doubles.
In the classroom, Krentz carries a 3.94 grade point average majoring in Lehigh’s Integrated Degree in Engineering and Arts and Sciences (IDEAS) program. He is a Dean’s List student and a two-year member of the Patriot League Academic Honor Roll. Krentz has earned perfect 4.0 GPAs in three of his first five semesters at Lehigh. Earlier this year, he was selected for Lehigh’s prestigious Martindale Scholarship, a group of juniors and seniors that will actively explore global business and economic issues.
Krentz is a three-time Scholar-Athlete for the Lehigh men’s tennis team, and also participates in the department’s Emerging Leaders program.
“Andrew Krentz is one of the finest young men I have ever had the privilege of coaching,” said Lehigh head coach Dave Shook. “If you look up the definition of Patriot League Scholar-Athlete in the dictionary, you will see his photo. It stands to reason considering he is a Martindale Scholar, student athlete mentor, Leadership Legacy ,and a member of the Student Athlete Council just to name a few.”
The Glencoe, Ill. native is the first men’s tennis player to earn Scholar-Athlete of the Year honors since Ty Esler in 2004. Krentz is one of two student-athletes to earn Academic All-League honors for the second straight season. The Academic All-League team is comprised of student athletes from Bucknell, Colgate, Holy Cross, Lafayette and Navy in addition to Krentz.
Krentz is the fourth Lehigh student-athlete to win Patriot League Scholar-Athlete of the Year honors in his/her sport in the 2011-12 academic year. Seniors Evans Kosgei (men’s cross country) and Abby Tilton (field hockey) received the award in the fall, while softball senior Jen Colquhoun was recognized on Tuesday.
To be eligible for the Patriot League Scholar-Athlete of the Year award or the Academic All-League team, a student-athlete must have at least a 3.20 cumulative GPA and be a starter of key contributor in his/her sport. Freshmen are not eligible for the honor.