IRVING, Texas (The American/SMU) – SMU Mustang student-athletes Nicole Stambo (women's swimming and diving), Dominic Hoefer (men's swimming and diving) and Knut Ahlander (men's soccer) have been named American Athletic Conference Scholar-Athletes of the Year for their respective sports. 

Award winners are chosen by faculty athletic representatives from each conference institution on the basis of academic credentials and athletic performance and will receive a $2,000 postgraduate scholarship.

Ahlander became the 45th Mustang men's soccer player to earn All-America honors in 2022. Ahlander was named a Semifinalist for the MAC Hermann Trophy, the most coveted individual honor in NCAA Division I soccer. Additionally, he was named the AAC Offensive Player and Midfielder of the Year. The graduate student was selected to the All-AAC First Team for the third straight season. Ahlander earned All-AAC Academic honors every year. 

Ahlander graduated with a Master of Science in Finance. 

Stambo, the 2022 AAC Most Outstanding Diver, completed her decorated Mustang career as a four-time conference champion, and seven-time All-Conference selection. Stambo qualified for the 2023 NCAA Championship. Additionally, she was an All-AAC All-Academic Team selection each season, and was CSC Academic All-District selection in 2023. Stambo was a three-time member of the CSCAA Scholar All-America Honorable Mention team. 

Stambo graduated in 2023 with a Bachelor of Science in Biological Sciences, with minors in Neuroscience, Chemistry, and Psychology. 

A seven-time All-Conference selection, Hoefer has earned a spot on the AAC All-Academic team each year. Hoefer is a two-time CSCAA Scholar All-America Honorable Mention selection, and has been named to the SMU Honor Roll with High Distinction five times.

Hoefer graduated with a degree in Management Science, and a minor in Economics.