The Atlantic Coast Conference has named Florida State University’s Kayleigh Clark and Nathan Cmeyla as its Graduate Scholar‑Athlete of the Year, underscoring a rare blend of scholarly rigor and competitive excellence.
Clark, a diving standout, completed a master’s degree in Sport Psychology and earned a suite of academic honors, including CSC Academic All‑District, All‑ACC Academic Team, and CSCAA Scholar All‑America recognition. Her collegiate career culminated with All‑America honors, an NCAA bronze medal on the platform, and a personal‑best score of 333.30 points, placing third nationally on the platform and delivering strong results on the 1‑meter and 3‑meter boards.
Cmeyla, who earned a graduate degree in Business Analytics, was a pivotal member of the Seminoles’ baseball team that finished among the nation’s top twenty and secured the program’s 62nd postseason berth. Over 40 games he hit .301, slugged .485, recorded 41 hits, five home runs, eight doubles, one triple, 30 RBIs, 21 runs scored, 66 total bases and seven walks.
A Dual Celebration of Academic and Athletic Excellence
Both athletes satisfied the ACC Graduate Scholar‑Athlete criteria, which mandate completion of a graduate program and participation in at least half of a team’s contests or qualification for an ACC/NCAA championship. Their recognitions illustrate how rigorous academic pursuits can coexist with high‑level athletic competition.
The university’s athletic department praised the pair for setting a benchmark for future Seminoles, noting that their achievements reflect the institution’s commitment to developing well‑rounded leaders. As the sports community looks ahead, Clark and Cmeyla’s stories serve as a reminder that scholarly dedication and competitive drive are not mutually exclusive.