INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. – The University of Montevallo women's swimming's Beth Balent represented the Gulf South Conference on the list of recipients to receive the Division II 50^th Anniversary Scholarship.
 
At the NCAA Division II Festival, the NCAA announced that 46 student-athletes will receive the 50^th Anniversary Scholarship which is worth over $1,000. The recipients were recognized during the opening ceremonies on Monday in Orlando, Florida. 
 
Balent, a native of Fort Walton Beach, Fla., completed her junior season of competition for Montevallo in 2023-24, capturing a pair of podium finishes in the 100-yard fly and 200-yard free stroke. She is currently pursuing a degree in exercise and nutrition science. 
 
Division II schools submitted 196 nominations for the commemorative scholarship. Conference offices reviewed their member schools' nominations and selected up to four finalists for review by the Division II Management Council Identity Subcommittee. The subcommittee reviewed all finalist submissions and determined the recipients, awarding one male student-athlete and one female student-athlete from each of the 23 Division II conferences. 

"Congratulations to these deserving student-athletes who exhibit the core values of Division II," said Terri Steeb Gronau, vice president of Division II. "It was important while celebrating the history of Division II that we also recognize and celebrate our student-athlete leaders in a meaningful way." 

Recipients have exemplified the division's Life in the Balance philosophy through high-level athletics competition, academic achievement, campus involvement and community engagement. 

NCAA Announcement