OREM, Utah – Three Utah Valley University student-athletes were named Perry Homes Scholar-Athletes of the Month for September. Cross Country's Wyatt Mortenson and Morgan Nokes, and volleyball's Bella Wooden were all recognized for their athletic and academic successes. The trio are now finalists for the Perry Homes Scholar-Athlete of the Year, announced during the Wolverine Club Athletic Awards following the end of the academic year. 

Nokes, a graduate student from Boise, Idaho, who is currently working towards her Master's in Public Administration, has started the season strongly with three individual titles in four races. Just six months removed from giving birth in March, Nokes has been Women's Cross Country's top runner this season, earning the team's first-ever USTFCCCA National Runner of the Week honors after winning the UVU Invitational on Aug. 29, and finishing 18^th overall against a tough field at the Gans Creek Classic.
 
Mortenson, a redshirt sophomore from Missoula, Mont., who is majoring in Aviation Management, has been the top Men's Cross Country athlete to start the season, coming in as the top collegiate finisher at the UVU Invitational and taking second overall at the Beehive Classic. Mortenson was also the runner-up at last week's Color Country Invitational, finishing second to teammate Sila Kiplagat.

Wooden's dominant play at the net has helped Utah Valley rise to the top of the national blocking charts. The Wolverines lead the country in both total blocks and blocks per set, anchored by Wooden's standout defensive presence. Wooden currently ranks first in the nation with 113 total blocks and sits second in blocks per set at 1.95. Her consistent production earned her the WAC Player of the Week honor in September after she tallied 13 total blocks to tie her career high against Abilene Christian — marking the second time in her career she's received the weekly award. Off the court, Wooden is excelling academically as well. The Utah Valley senior plans to attend dental school after graduation and pursue a career in dentistry.