Washington University’s Elizabeth Phillips Named Walter Byers Postgraduate Scholarship Finalist

Indianapolis, Ind., April 10, 2012 — Washington University in St. Louis senior Elizabeth Phillips was one of six student-athletes selected as finalists for the 2012 Walter Byers Postgraduate Scholarship, as announced by the NCAA.

The other five finalists for the 2012 Walter Byers Postgraduate Scholarship are Miles Batty (Brigham Young University, track & field/cross country), Mary (Katy) Frierson (Auburn University, soccer), Matt Horn (Winthrop University, soccer), Daniel Mazzaferro (Auburn, swimming & diving), and Kelsey Ward (Drury University, swimming). The winners of this year’s awards will be selected later this month for the renewable reward.

Phillips, a cross country and track & field standout at Washington U., is a biomedical engineering major with a 4.0 GPA. She became the first-ever three-time winner of the Elite 89 award in November as the Division III women’s cross country winner. Phillips also received the award for women’s indoor track & field in 2010 and 2011. She received Capital One First-Team Academic All-America honors in 2011, and is a two-time Academic All-District selection.

Phillips finished 40th at the 2011 NCAA Division III Cross Country Championship to help Washington University to its first National Championship in school history. She is a six-time All-American and nine-time University Athletic Association (UAA) champion in indoor and outdoor track & field in her career. Phillips holds two individual track & field school records, and ranks in the top three in school history in five events.

The Walter Byers Postgraduate Scholarship is a $24,000 award given annually to one male and one female student-athlete. Recipients must have at least a 3.5 GPA, demonstrate evidence of superior character and leadership, and show that participation in athletics has been a positive influence on their personal and intellectual development. Since the establishment of the Byers Scholarships in 1988, five Division III women have won the award.