FARMINGTON, Utah – Malaina Thacker and Zack Short have been selected as the 2020-21 Big Sky Conference Scholar-Athlete Award recipients, as announced by the conference on Thursday.

Thacker wrapped up her Vandal career with the cross country and track field teams as a participant at the 2021 NCAA Outdoor Championships First Round. Her time of 10:10.04 in the steeplechase was a personal best in her final race. During her time at Idaho, Thacker was on the podium twice, earning silver at the 2021 Big Sky Outdoor Championships, and bronze in the mile at the 2020 Big Sky Indoor Championships. She also placed ninth at the 2021 Big Sky Winter Cross Country Championships and was a two-time West Region Cross Country participant. Thacker graduated with a 4.0, earning her degree in exercise science.

Short is currently working on his master's in educational leadership. He currently has a 4.0 in his degree after earning a 3.66 as an undergraduate. In his final meet as a Vandal, Short earned First Team All-American honors in the shot put, taking sixth place at the NCAA Outdoor National Championships. The Lebanon, Oregon, native finished his career at Idaho as a two time All-American after earning Second Team accolades during the 2019 indoor season. He won five Big Sky Championships and owns both the Big Sky Outdoor and Indoor records in the shot put.

To qualify for the award, a student-athlete must have a minimum GAP of 3.2, be a member of the graduating class and/or have completed his/her last year of intercollegiate athletic eligibility, have completed at least two years of intercollegiate competition, and be a letter winner.