ST. LOUIS – Daniel Jekov of the Saint Louis University men's swimming and diving team is SLU's recipient of a 2026 Atlantic 10 Conference Postgraduate Scholarship.
 
Each year, the Atlantic 10 honors an outstanding graduating student-athlete from each of its 14 member institutions with a $3,000 scholarship to contribute toward full-time enrollment in a graduate or professional program.
 
Jekov, who earned a Bachelor of Science degree in health sciences with a minor in biology, will attend medical school at the University of Kansas with a particular interest in sports medicine. He graduated with a 3.931 grade point average, made the SLU Dean's List and the A-10 Commissioner's Honor Roll every year and earned induction into Alpha Eta, the national honor society for allied health professions.
 
The Wichita, Kan., native was a four-year competitor for the Billikens who capped his career by winning a bronze medal as a member of SLU's 800 freestyle relay team at the 2026 A-10 Championships. Jekov also scored in the 200 backstroke at the conference meet as a freshman, sophomore and senior. He ranks ninth in that event on the Billikens' all-time top performers list.
 
Jekov was prominent in student-athlete leadership through the Billikens' Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC). He represented SLU on the A-10 SAAC, including a term as Chair. Jekov also was a representative on the NCAA Division I SAAC and served as the student-athlete representative on the NCAA Committee on Academics. Additionally, he helped lead the A-10's "Thrive Beyond the Game" initiative, which highlighted student-athlete achievements outside of sports.
 
Also active in the community, Jekov volunteered with KEEN St. Louis, which provides recreational and social opportunities for individuals with disabilities; Heartspring, which helps high school students with impairments develop skills such as job searching and professional communication; and the Saint Louis University Emergency Department, which assists patients and families in navigating the hospital environment. He also was a volunteer with Wichita Swim Club, helping coach swimmers ages 12-15.