ROCK HILL, S.C. --- Tusculum sophomore Lukas Winkelmann has been selected as the 2012-13 South Atlantic Conference Men's Tennis Scholar Athlete of the Year announced league officials Tuesday.

He becomes fourth player in program history to earn this award that recognizes athletic accomplishments, academic achievement, community service and leadership. This also marks the fourth time in the last five years that a TC men's tennis player has been garnered this accolade.

Winkelmann - last season's SAC Freshman of the Year - went 16-1 playing at the No. 1 singles position during the regular season, helping lead Tusculum to its fourth conference championship. He has won 11-straight singles matches heading into this week's SAC Tennis Tournament in Rock Hill, S.C.

The Boeblingen, Germany native also went a combined 11-6 in doubles action, playing mostly at the top flight with teammate Nicolas Planchard.

In the classroom, Winkelmann sports a 3.95 GPA studying pre-medicine. He has earned selections to the Tusculum Athletic Director's Honor Roll, the TC President's List, the Charles Oliver Gray Honors List, the SAC Commissioner's Honor Roll and the ITA All-Academic Team.

Winkelmann serves in numerous leadership roles, including as a team captain and as a representative on the Pioneer Student-Athlete Advisory Committee. He has also volunteered with Tusculum fundraisers and assisted the school in hosting the 2012 SAC Cross Country Championship.

"Lukas is one of those rare individuals who truly balances academics, athletic and personal life," said Tusculum head tennis coach Tommy Arnett. "Lukas has established himself as a leader among his peers in the classroom as well as on the tennis court."

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