MADISON, Wis. - UW-River Falls senior defenseman Sophia Leong was named the 2021-22 recipient of the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) Judy Kruckman Women's Hockey Scholar-Athlete Award.

Leong becomes the fourth Falcon to earn the honor, following in the footsteps of Emily Stark (2017), Amy Auran (2018), and Haley Nielsen (2019).

A native of Apple Valley, Minn., Leong has maintained a 3.85 grade-point average as a Communication Studies and Disorder major, and is a three-time member of the WIAC Scholastic Honor Roll and two time AHCA All-American Scholar.

An All-WIAC First Team honoree last season, Leong has skated in 81 career games for the Falcons with 31 points off seven goals and 24 assists. She leads UWRF this season with 30 blocked shots and has compiled a career-high 14 points.

Leong is a team captain this season and outside of the rink is a member of the UWRF Honors Program, and is also a four-year member of the Falcon women's lacrosse team.

The WIAC Scholar-Athlete Award is named after Judy Kruckman, who served as assistant commissioner for the WIAC from 1996-98. She was also the commissioner of the Wisconsin Women's Intercollegiate Athletic Conference from 1984-96. She was inducted into the WIAC Hall of Fame in 2012.

To be nominated for the scholar-athlete award, a student-athlete must have a minimum 3.50 grade point average. In addition, she must be in her last year of competition, or on schedule to graduate this academic year, and have competed for a minimum of two years. The award is based on academic achievements, athletics accomplishments and involvement in other campus activities, organizations, and community service projects.