Penn State Altoona Athletics announced the recipients of its annual Scholar-Athlete of the Year awards during the 2019-20 Intercollegiate Athletics Honors Ceremony on Thursday. The awards are given to one male and one female student-athlete who have demonstrated excellence in athletics and the classroom during the past academic year.

Senior women's basketball player Kaley Strittmatter (Williamsburg, PA/Penn Cambria) and senior men's soccer, men's swimming, and men's volleyball player Tanner Yaw (Palmyra, PA/Palmyra) were the winners of Penn State Altoona's 2019-20 Scholar-Athlete of the Year awards.

2019-20 Female Scholar-Athlete of the Year: Kaley Strittmatter

Strittmatter started all 26 games for a Penn State Altoona women's basketball team that went 14-12 overall, including a 12-8 record in the Allegheny Mountain Collegiate Conference. The senior guard/forward saw 24.9 minutes per game, shooting 44.2 percent from the floor and 75.0 percent from the free throw line. Strittmatter averaged 8.7 points per game and 4.3 rebounds per game this season, as well as accumulating 28 assists, 18 steals, and five blocks.

Strittmatter was selected to the AMCC Winter All-Sportsmanship team by her teammates this season. She also earned AMCC Academic All-Conference honors, including being highlighted as a Peak Performer for having a cumulative grade point average of 3.5 or higher.

Strittmatter is an Elementary Education major at Penn State Altoona with a minor in Special Education. She carried out her student-teaching assignment this past year at Pleasant Valley Elementary School, within the Altoona Area School District.

Penn State Altoona women's basketball head coach Casey Wilt said of Strittmatter: "Kaley is an individual that will leave a lasting impact with the Penn State Altoona women's basketball program. Her value to the team is more than what is reflected with game statistics. Kaley has been the heart of our team. She's our foundation, our glue. Outside of a successful athletic career, Kaley excels within the classroom, and I'm certain she will play a pivotal role in shaping young children's minds and helping them to find their love for learning. Kaley is a special individual that is busting through walls with her academic and athletic success."

2019-20 Male Scholar-Athlete of the Year: Tanner Yaw

Yaw receives the Male Scholar-Athlete of the Year award for the second time during his collegiate career at Penn State Altoona, after picking up the honor at the conclusion of the 2017-18 year as a sophomore. The senior played three sports throughout his time at Penn State Altoona: men's soccer, men's swimming, and men's volleyball.

In soccer, Yaw started all 19 games at goalkeeper for the Lions during the 2019 season. He tallied six wins, including a pair of shutouts, while logging a total of 1,681 minutes and 28 seconds between the pipes. Yaw finished the season with 109 saves, a 2.62 goals against average, and a .690 save percentage.

In swimming this season, Yaw earned second team All-AMCC recognition while having a hand in setting two new team records. Yaw and his teammates placed second in the 200 Yard Freestyle Relay during the AMCC Championships, posting a time of 1:27.59 and taking second team All-Conference status. Yaw was also part of two new men's swimming team records in relay events, thanks to his team's time in the 200 Yard Freestyle Relay and the 400 Yard Freestyle Relay (3:13.89) during the conference championships.

In volleyball, Yaw appeared in five matches and 11 total sets for the Lions this season, recording three digs before the team's season was cut short after 19 matches due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Yaw was chosen to the AMCC Spring All-Sportsmanship team for men's volleyball. The senior also earned a spot on the AMCC Academic All-Conference team, in which he was recognized as a Peak Performer for having a cumulative GPA of 3.5 or higher.

Yaw is an Accounting major at Penn State Altoona.

Penn State Altoona men's volleyball head coach Phil Peterman, who nominated Yaw for the Male Scholar-Athlete of the Year award, said this: "Tanner has had a vital role on the team since his arrival here at Penn State Altoona and has played a number of positions, coming into the game as a defensive and serving specialist, outside hitter, and opposite. He was one of my team captains this past season and has been a key to the team's success. Tanner is the definition of a Scholar-Athlete for his contributions in the classroom, community, and Athletics department."