July 30, 2012

DALLAS (SMU) - After nearly six weeks of voting, SMU's Margus Hunt has been selected as "DFW's Best Athlete" in a DallasNews.com tournament.

Hunt topped the Dallas Stars' Loui Eriksson in the final and defeated Dez Bryant (Dallas Cowboys), Josh Hamilton (Texas Rangers) and Jamie Benn (Stars) in his earlier-round matches. Tournament entries included Dirk Nowitzki (Dallas Mavericks), Tony Romo (Cowboys), Yu Darvish (Rangers), Nastia Liukin (Olympic gold medal-winning gymnast) and others.

Hunt was previously named the No. 1 athletic "freak" in college football by CBSSports.com and has been named preseason All-Conference USA by several outlets. He is a three-time All-C-USA honorable mention selection and notched 28 stops and four blocked kicks in 2011. He wrapped up the season with a dominant performance in the BBVA Compass Bowl win, racking up three sacks and five total tackles.

On the heels of their third straight bowl appearance, Hunt and SMU will host Texas A&M, TCU, Memphis, C-USA West rivals Houston and Tulsa and 2011 C-USA Champion Southern Miss at Ford Stadium in 2012. Ticket sales have been brisk, as SMU has already surpassed its season ticket sales totals for the rest of the June Jones era.

To see DFW's top athlete and his Mustang teammates this season, call the SMU Ticket Office at (214) SMU-GAME (768-4263).