IRVINE, Calif. --- Athletes across the PacWest conference looked to thrive in academics and competition throughout every season of play. The PacWest honored the top athlete in each sport for their combined success in the classroom and on the field of play with the scholar-athlete of the year award. Three eagles nabbed the honor including Kristian Colaci, Colby McClinton, and Alex Wright.

Biola led the conference with the three award-winners on Wednesday. The announcement of the PacWest Scholar-Athletes of the Year came just a week after the Eagles tallied the most Academic All-PacWest recipients amongst the conference schools.

The Men's Soccer PacWest Scholar-Athlete of the Year honor went to Kristian Colaci. The BU transfer made an immediate impact for the Eagles in 2022. On the field of play, Colaci was heralded as the best in the conference and one of the best in the nation with honors including, PacWest Player of the Year, D2CCA All-West Region First Team, USCA All-West Region Second Team, and D2CCA All-American. He also helped the Eagles to a second-straight appearance in the NCAA DII West Region Championships.

In the classroom, Colaci showed his strength as a graduate student in Biola's Master's of Business Administration program. The forward claimed CSC Academic All-District and CSC Academic All-American recognitions for his 3.94 grade-point average.

On the softball field, Colby McClinton corralled the Softball PacWest Scholar-Athlete of the Year award. The BU shortstop impressed as a freshman, being named the PacWest Player of the Year, Biola Female Athlete of the Year, and NFCA and D2CCA First Team All-West Region. The first year player could not be stopped at the plate, boasting a plus .400 batting average throughout the 2023 campaign. 

Academically, McClinton took care of business with a 3.93 GPA, while majoring in psychology. The freshman also earned an Academic All-PacWest distinction last week.

The Men's Basketball PacWest Scholar-Athlete of the Year award was given to Alex Wright. The graduate student picked up his second such honor in his career, after earning the mark in 2021. The fifth-year player made his impact felt for the Eagles with a First Team All-PacWest honor in the 2022-23 season. The guard was named the PacWest Player of the Week on January 9 and averaged 15 points, six rebounds and nearly three assists per game.

Through five years at Biola, Wright has earned an undergraduate degree in business administration, a master's in leadership and innovation and a certificate in personal financial planning. He has continued to maintain a strong GPA, boasting a 3.82 grade-point average in his undergrad and a 3.239 as a graduate. Wright also earned CSC Academic All-District honors this season as well.

All three award-winners will now be nominated for the PacWest Male and Female Scholar Athletes of the Year award, which will be announced next week.