TUCSON, Ariz. - Arizona senior swimmer Matt Salerno has been awarded the Pac-12 Leadership Award, the conference announced on Wednesday. He receives a $3,000 postgraduate scholarship for demonstrating leadership and serving on the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC). Salerno is the first male swimmer at Arizona to win this award. Whitney Myers, of Arizona women's swimming, won the award for the 2006-07 year and the last Wildcat to win was in 2014-15 (Danielle Buchanan, gymnastics).
 
Salerno is majoring in Veterinary Science with a minor in Biochemistry, with the intention to pursue a Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) to become a veterinarian. Thus far, he has maintained a 3.80 GPA. 
 
To apply for this prestigious award, Salerno had to fill out the application, submit a resume, write an essay, and receive a letter of recommendation from a staff member. The senior explains he chose Becky Bell, the director of C.A.T.S. Life Skills, because she "worked closely with me the whole time to create the strongest application possible. We know there are tremendous leaders throughout the Pac-12 and we were both committed to bringing the award back to Tucson. Without her guidance, I don't feel I would have been nearly as competitive of a candidate. I am so thankful for her support."
 
The Illinois native is the current team captain, after being voted in by his teammates. Head Coach Augie Busch notes "Matt assumed the captain role after being voted in by his teammates.  The near unanimous nature in which he was voted speaks volumes." Salerno earned All-American Honorable Mention and was a Pac-12 Championship finalist in the 100 breast last season, where he swam the eighth fastest 100 breast time in Arizona school history. He also was also an Olympic time trial qualifier in 2016.
 
In addition to swimming excellence, the senior has a variety of academic honors including Pac-12 All-Academic First Team the past two seasons, Dean's List all three years, CSCAA Scholar All-American, and three scholarships awarded for academic performance. Busch recognizes his drive to succeed not only in swimming, but in academics as well, "[He is] one of our better students and very driven to become a veterinarian."
 
He is the current SAAC president, after being a member the past two years. In addition, Salerno is a member of the Pac-12 Student Athlete Leadership Team and Mental Health Subcommittee Chair for the 2018-19 school year. 
 
Last season, he served on the Community Service subcommittee and was awarded the Community Service Award for volunteering the most hours of a male student-athlete.
 
Salerno describes what it means to him to have won the Pac-12 Leadership Award, "winning this specific award is extremely special to me. As a senior, it makes me reflect on all of the incredible opportunities I have been able to be a part of on campus and also within the Pac-12 conference." He furthers, "the best part, though, is carrying out Arizona's legacy of graduating student athletes that are engaged, versatile, respectful, innovative, and committed. Since the award was established in 2002, Arizona has now had 8 winners— the most of any school. I think this speaks volumes about our athletic department."
 
It is clear Salerno is a leader, both in and out of the pool, and strives for greatness in swimming and academics. Busch adds, "Matt is a great leader, someone who works very hard, competes courageously, holds himself and others accountable, and cares deeply about the program."