San Antonio - Former Trinity student-athletes Brigette Lee and Taylor Piske have been tabbed as the respective finalists for the Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference Woman and Man of the Year awards.

The conference award recognizes senior student-athletes who have distinguished themselves in the areas of academic achievement, athletic excellence, and service and leadership. The SCAC Man of the Year, selected from the five finalists, will be announced later this month. The SCAC Woman of the Year, from seven finalists, will also be named this month. The winner's name will be forwarded to the NCAA Woman of the Year selection committee.

Both Piske and Lee graduated in May from Trinity, with strong academic credentials. Piske, who competed in cross country and track & field, earned a Bachelor of Science degree in engineering science. He garnered magna cum laude (with high honor) recognition. Lee, a standout on the women's golf team, received a B.S. in biochemistry and molecular biology, and received summa cum laude (with highest honor) kudos.

Earlier this month, Piske was elected to the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA) Division III Academic All-District 8 Men's Track & Field/Cross Country Team for the second straight time. He also is a three-time U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) All-Academic Cross Country recipient.

Lee was named to the CoSIDA Academic All-America At-Large Third Team for the second consecutive time, and to the Academic All-District 8 Team for the third occasion in a row. She was also a three-time honoree as a Women's Golf Coaches Association All-American Scholar.

Last fall, Piske was a competitor in the NCAA Division III Cross Country Championships. He qualified by placing sixth of 200 runners at the NCAA South/Southeast Regional. Piske paced Trinity to the SCAC Championship, as the Tigers posted a perfect score of 15. He won the individual title, and was named SCAC Men's Runner of the Year. Piske was the 2012 SCAC Newcomer of the Year.

Piske was named to the USTFCCCA All-South/Southeast Region Team. The accolade goes to student-athletes who are ranked in the top-five in the region, in an individual or relay event. Piske was honored for his performance in the 10,000 meters. Last April, Piske contributed to the Tiger men's fourth consecutive SCAC Track & Field Championship, by winning both the 5k and 10k races.

He received the 2015 Trinity University Engineering Science Department Outstanding Junior Design Award. The versatile Piske was a violinist for the Trinity Symphony Orchestra, and was a member of the Trinity Jazz Band. He volunteered with the San Antonio Food Bank, among other organizations. Piske is weighing options to work in the engineering science field, or to attend graduate school. 

Lee qualified for the All-SCAC Women's Golf Team in each of her four years of competition. Last April, Lee tied for seventh place at the conference championship, and earned All-SCAC Second Team honors. The Tigers won their second SCAC Championship in the past three seasons. Lee placed 10th in the 2015 SCAC Championship, for All-SCAC Second Team accolades. She finished third in 2014, and made the All-SCAC First Team, sparking Trinity to the conference crown. Lee began her collegiate career by capturing the individual SCAC title in 2013. She was named the SCAC Women's Golfer of the Year, and the SCAC Freshman Golfer of the Year. This season, Lee was also selected for the SCAC All-Sportsmanship Team.

Lee was the 2016 recipient of the Trinity University/Ian Thompson Award for Academic Excellence for Premedical studies. She has served as president and vice president of Trinity's American Medical Student Association. Included in Lee's volunteering efforts were the Teen Medical Academy, Methodist Hospital, Faith Family Clinic, and First Tee Golf Program. The future physician plans to attend the Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, Texas.