University of California, Los Angeles, Athletics
Four Graduating Seniors Earn Pac-12 Postgraduate Scholarships
Each of the Pac-12's 48 postgraduate scholarships are worth $3,000 and go to student-athletes with a minimum 3.0 grade point average who have also demonstrated a commitment to continuing education, campus and community involvement and leadership. Since the program began in 1999, the Pac-12 has awarded over $1.5 million for postgraduate study.
Mkrtchian, who also received the Pac-12 Tom Hansen Conference Medal, earned first-team All-Pac-12 honors and ranked second on the team in both victories (28) and wins over ranked opponents (8). This year's Pac-12 Scholar-Athlete of the Year for men's tennis, Mkrtchian posted the 100th singles win of his career this past season, finishing up his time at UCLA with a 101-34 overall record. Mkrtchian ended the season ranked No. 30 nationally in the Final ITA Singles Rankings. Off the court, Mkrtchian was a double major focusing on International Development Studies and Political Science. He was a second-team Pac-12 All-Academic selection as a sophomore in 2013.
Woepse capped off his UCLA track and field career as one of the most decorated pole vaulters in school history. He earned All-American honors on five different occasions and was also just as productive in the classroom, earning USTFCCCA, Pac-12, and MPSF All-Academic honors while also being a mainstay on the UCLA Athletic Director’s Honor Roll. Woepse finished his vaulting career with a best mark of 18-5.25, the third best jump in school history. The Tustin, Calif., native was the NCAA runner-up in 2012 and won the Pac-12 title in 2013.
Kojima was a four-year standout with the UCLA women’s rowing program, serving as coxswain in the top two varsity eight crews over her final three years. She was a three-time first-team Pac-12 All-Academic Team selection. Kojima helped the Bruins advanced to NCAA Championships in each of her first three seasons with the program. As a freshman, UCLA posted an eighth-place finish at NCAA Championships, and as a sophomore, she helped the Bruins finish ninth overall.
Tarazona completed her Bruin career with a personal-best swim, a school record and an All-American showing in the 200 Butterfly at the NCAA Championships, finishing 10th. A member of the 2015 CSCAA Scholar All-America First Team, Tarazona is in the UCLA Top 8 best marks in the 100 and 200 Fly, as well as the 200 and 400 Individual Medley.