LARAMIE, Wyo. (May 1, 2019) – Clara Tapia, from Barcelona, Spain, was a finalist for the University of Wyoming's highest honor as top graduating senior.

She was among 11 students nominated for the Rosemarie Martha Spitaleri and Tobin Memorial Award, which recognizes the most outstanding graduates from the 2018-19 undergraduate class. The award is based on academic excellence and achievement, service to the university, participation and leadership in the community and campus activities, and citizenship qualities.

Jess Fahlsing, from Rock Springs, and Dylan Rust, of Green River, were the recipients of the Rosemarie Martha Spitaleri and Tobin Memorial Award. The announcement was made at the Friday, April 26, luncheon at the Marian H. Rochelle Gateway Center.

Former UW women's basketball coach Joe Legerski and some Cowgirl players attended the luncheon with Tapia.

One nominator said that even after teaching at UW for 17 years, Tapia is a rare find: "I have worked with over 6,000 unique and special students. Clara Tapia ranks in the top 1 percent of these students and, in some areas, she is quite possibly the most outstanding student I have ever known."

Another nominator also holds Tapia in high esteem, placing her in the top 5 percent of both undergraduate and graduate students this nominator has taught in 15 years.

"It is without a doubt that Miss Tapia is a student of great intellect, inquisitive mind, great drive and work ethic," the nominator said. "I am fortunate to have had the opportunity to meet and mentor an amazing individual like Clara, someone who excels both academically and in the lab -- and as well as on the basketball court."

On top of playing the point guard position for the UW Cowgirls, Tapia will graduate in May with two Bachelor of Science degrees in molecular biology and in chemistry. She also carries a 4.0 grade-point average.

"I never liked wasting my time; time is certainly so precious," says Tapia. "I find the world around me to be very stimulating, very exciting, and I generally want to be part of absolutely everything."

During her time at UW, Tapia has learned academic lessons in the classroom and life lessons outside.

"Laramie is a place of personal growth, including the recognition of many other cultures, the establishment of healthy human connections and the realization of the importance of taking care of oneself; perhaps it is not appropriate to be always that busy," says Tapia.

On the court, Tapia ended her career as one of the premier playmakers in Cowgirl history, as her 394 assists rank seventh all-time despite playing just three seasons at UW. This season, Tapia recorded 106 assists and 132 points for averages of 3.1 assists and 4.9 points per game. She started in all 99 games during her career, and she had at least five assists in 35 games.

Tapia is also the only Cowgirl to earn multiple academic All-America honors, as she received the distinction in each of the last two seasons. She is a two-time Mountain West Scholar-Athlete and a two-time academic all-MW selection.