FORT MYERS, Fla. – The FGCU Athletics Department has named women's tennis player Julia Ascúa and men's golfer Grant Renegar as recipients of the FGCU Athletics Scholar-Athlete of the Month award for March.

Each month during the school year, the FGCU Athletics Communication Office and Athletic Academic staff will choose a pair of Eagles as the FGCU Athletics Scholar-Athlete of the Month. Those selected for the honor will have exhibited a combination of superior athletic and overall academic success.

Ascúa (Santa Fe, Argentina/Domingo G. Silva) is an Economics major with a 4.0 cumulative GPA. She has made the President's List and, as a result, the FGCU Honor Roll each of her first three semesters on campus. Additionally, in her first year of eligibility, Ascúa was invited to the FGCU Academic Honors Luncheon.

Playing primarily in the #3 spot, Ascúa is one of four Eagles to register double digit singles wins this season and has the Eagles eyeing their first ASUN Championship in Saturday's match against UNF. After winning four straight matches, the sophomore standout has improved her dual match record to 10-5 and is a perfect 3-0 against ASUN competition. Additionally, she has paired with teammate Julianna Curtis (Tampa, Fla./Allendale Academy) to go 9-5 in #1 doubles with a 2-1 record in league play.

Earlier this season, Ascúa went a perfect 3-0 in both singles and doubles action against defending Big East champion Xavier, Troy and Georgia Southern and went on to be named the ASUN Women's Tennis Player of the Week for the second time in her career. She is one of a program-record four Eagles to receive the weekly recognition this season.

A year ago, the Argentina native earned a number of postseason accolades as she was not only named ASUN First Team All-Conference, but was also named Second Team All-Conference in doubles play and made her way onto both the All-Freshman Team and All-Tournament Team. In just under two full seasons with the Green and Blue, Ascúa has accumulated 22 singles wins and is an impressive 24-7 while paired with Curtis in doubles play.

A transfer from Meridian Community College, Renegar (McComb, Miss./Meridian CC/Parklane Academy) is an Integrated Studies major with a 3.4 GPA following his first semester in Southwest Florida. He made his way onto the FGCU Honor Roll following his academic efforts last fall.

In his first season with the Green and Blue, Renegar has already made his presence felt on the course as he has turned in a 75.44 scoring average in six tournaments. Additionally, he has had 14 of his 16 rounds used in the team score as FGCU heads into the ASUN Championship held at The Legends at Chateau Elan starting Sunday.

Just last week, the Mississippi native earned medalist honors at the East Carolina Intercollegiate after posting rounds of 73-76-73 (222, +6) in windy conditions and tough greens at Brooke Valley Country Club. As the tournament ended in a three-way tie, Renegar ultimately defeated East Carolina's Tim Conover and West Virginia's Max Sear on the second playoff hole to secure the win. With teammate Casper Howells (London, England/Bradford College) also earning medalist honors at the Cape Fear National Intercollegiate in March, FGCU has had two players receive medalist honors for the first time since the 2011-12 season.

Dating back to the fall, Renegar finished tied for 11th at the Homewood/Hilton Garden Airport and FGCU Classic and also turned in one of the best rounds in program history in his second event as an Eagle at the FAU Dual. The junior shot a six-under 66 – tied for the eighth best round in program history – and finished first in the event. Along with his aforementioned win last week, Renegar's two first-place finishes this season are tied for the second most in single-season history.

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In its 10th season at the Division-I level, FGCU teams have combined to win an incredible 60 conference regular season and tournament titles. Additionally, in just 5+ seasons of D-I postseason eligibility, the Eagles have had 28 teams or individuals compete in NCAA championships. Seven programs have earned a top-25 national ranking in their respective sports. In 2014-15, FGCU finished 9th in the Division I-AAA Learfield Sports Director Cup final standings, ahead of several prominent Big East, Missouri Valley and Atlantic 10 Conference members.
 
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