Atkinson awarded NCAA Post-Graduate Scholarship

<p>Senior gymnast <a href="http://thesundevils.cstv.com/sports/w-gym/mtt/atkinson_mary00.html">Mary Atkinson</a> was named a recipient of the 2011 NCAA post-graduate scholarship in gymnastics, the NCAA announced today.</p><separator></separator><p>Atkinson, a senior on the Gym Devil squad, holds a 3.72 in bioscience at Arizona State and is a member of the prestigious Barrett Honors College. In addition to preparing to attend dental school in the fall, Atkinson participated in a joint initiative between the honors college and the world-renowned Mayo Clinic.</p><separator></separator><p>In addition to the NCAA scholarship, Atkinson was also named the Pac-10 Scholar Athlete of the Year for the sport of gymnastics.</p><separator></separator><p>In 2010, Atkinson finished ninth nationally on vault for Arizona State, earning All-American honors in the event. A consummate all-around gymnast, Atkinson led the Sun Devils in almost every event for the first half of the season before she was sidelined with a career-ending injury in February.</p><separator></separator><p>Atkinson is the second Sun Devil this season, in addition to soccer player Alexandra Elston, and the 10th ASU athlete in the last three years to receive an NCAA post-graduate scholarship for continuing education.</p>