STANFORD, Calif. – Fifth-year senior Mikaela Watson has been tabbed the IWLCA Division I Scholar-Athlete of the Year, the organization announced today.
Watson is a graduate student pursuing a master's degree in Sustainability Science and Practice after earning her bachelor's degree in Product Design Engineering in 2020. She was named to the All-Pac-12 Conference first team, was a second team IWLCA West/Midwest All-Region selection, and named to the Tewaaraton watch list in 2021. The Philadelphia native registered 21 goals, 10 assists, 12 draw controls, 27 ground balls, and 10 caused turnovers in 2021.
A midfielder for the Cardinal, Watson has been equally successful in her off the field pursuits. She is a four-time selection to the Pac-12 Academic Honor Roll, was named to the IWLCA Academic Honor Roll in 2019 and was accepted to The Hasso Plattner Institute of Design's leadership program in the Stanford d.school. Watson is also the designer and co-founder of the Been There podcast, a 10 part story-sharing podcast for female collegiate athletes to feel both seen and heard, and united in their common struggles.
The IWLCA announced its 2021 Scholar-Athletes of the Year, honoring the top student-athlete in NCAA Division I, II, and III and the NAIA. Nominees for the award must be a senior or graduate student in their final year of athletic eligibility, have at least a 3.5 cumulative GPA, and be a starter or significant reserve for their team.
