Celebrating Excellence: Hooten and Garcia Awarded Big Ten Medal of Honor at the University of Minnesota!

The University of Minnesota has honored two remarkable athletes with the Big Ten Medal of Honor: Mya Hooten from gymnastics and Dawson Garcia from men’s basketball. This award celebrates top female and male student-athletes at each Big Ten school. It’s a prestigious recognition, now in its 111th year, making it the oldest of its kind in college sports.

Mya Hooten, a senior from Woodbury, wraps up her stellar career with an impressive legacy. She’s the fifth gymnast from Minnesota to earn this honor and is the second consecutive recipient, following Gianna Gerdes in 2024. Hooten’s achievements are numerous: she boasts 13 All-America honors, including eight from the WCGA and five from NCAA Championships. She’s a six-time Big Ten Champion and a four-time Academic All-Big Ten selection. Hooten recently graduated with a degree in business and a master’s in human resources.

Notably, she made history by scoring a ‘Perfect 10’ on the floor, achieving this incredible feat nine times. Her last competition highlighted her talent, as she qualified for the NCAA Championships and earned Second Team All-America honors. Hooten’s performance helped Minnesota clinch the Big Ten Championship in 2021 and reach the national stage for two consecutive years.

On the hardwood, Dawson Garcia, also a senior and from Savage, was a standout player. Over his three years, he played 89 games, scoring 1,557 points, ranking him 10th in Gopher history. This past season, he led the team in scoring with an impressive average of 19.2 points per game, landing him fourth in the Big Ten. His contributions didn’t go unnoticed; he received multiple All-Big Ten honors throughout his career.

Garcia excelled not just in sports but also in academics, making the Academic All-Big Ten list multiple times. He graduated with a degree in communications and was active in community service, showing his commitment beyond the court.

These achievements highlight the dedication and hard work of both athletes, showcasing how they balanced academics and sports successfully. Their stories inspire current and aspiring student-athletes, reminding us of the rich history of excellence in collegiate athletics.

For more on collegiate athletes and their achievements, you can explore the official Big Ten website here.

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