Being a high school athlete takes more than just hard work on the field. It also takes hard work in the classroom, and one Ozark High School soccer player is being honored for his scholastic achievements.

Phin Scott, class of 2024, was selected as a Scholar All-America by United Soccer Coaches. This award honors only a handful of soccer players from across the country for extraordinary achievements in the classroom.

“I believe this is the first one Ozark has ever had on the boys or girls side,” Boys Soccer Head Coach Zack Owens said. “This is one of the hardest awards to get due to the criteria being not only academics, but also their community service involvement and their awards as a soccer player/athlete.”

To become a Scholar All-America at the high school level a coach must nominate a player who has a cumulative grade point average of 3.75 or better (on a 4.0 scale, weighted or unweighted) through the first semester of their senior year. Additionally, the player must have demonstrated excellence in high school soccer, and must have performed community service at the local, regional or national level.

“We are extremely proud of Phin for being selected to receive this honor,” OHS Athletic Director Yancey Little said. “Ozark is committed to helping our athletes not only excel in their given sport, but also excel in the classroom. Phin exemplifies that commitment and we wish him luck in all his future endeavors.”

Phin said he is truly honored to have received this award.

"AG2G, All Glory to God. I wrote it on my wrist tape before every game and I want to express it now after receiving this award,” Phin said. “I am truly grateful for this opportunity.”

Phin will be honored in a ceremony at the National Soccer Convention in Chicago in January 2025.