The honor is given to student-athletes who have accumulated a 3.0 gpa or higher, are at least a sophomore academically and have competed in at least half of the team’s contests while making a major contribution. The student-athlete must have completed one full academic year at the institution prior to the season for which the reward is being received.

Aeder, a native of Portland, Ore., tied her personal record on floor (9.875) on three occasions this season. One of those marks contributed to the Hornets’ program record of 49.350 on floor at the MPSF Championships on March 29. Aeder sat out six meets this season due to a torn ligament in her wrist and a bone chip in her elbow. The injuries, both on her left arm, forced her to tumble with a closed fist to lessen the blow and to compete solely on floor. Aeder decided to forego her injury redshirt season this year because her surgery was not scheduled until the second week in April, after the season is over.

Zaher placed 13th at the NCAA West Regionals with a mark of 38.325 as an all-arounder. The Cairo, Egypt, native also finished with scores of 9.700 on vault, 9.650 on bars, 9.225 on beam and 9.750 on floor. Zaher’s floor mark placed her 13th at the event while her vault score placed her 20th. During the year, she finished with an RQS of 38.500 in her first season of all-around competition. Zaher finished with a career-high 39.150 at the MPSF Championships and the mark placed her third in the program record book for the event. The sophomore also captured her second-consecutive MPSF event title with a 9.775 on vault. She led the Hornets in all-around scores in six of 14 meets this season, including the past five competitions.