Dowagiac’s Craig Zebell (left), a three-time All-State soccer player, has been named a finalist for the MHSAA Scholar-Athlete Award. (Daily News Photo/File)

Union High School senior athlete Craig Zebell has been selected as a 2011-12 MHSAA Scholar Athlete finalist.

Out of almost 1,700 applicants, Zebell is one of 120 finalists, 32 of whom are in Class B.

School districts nominate senior athletes who have excelled in the classroom and the playing field. The athletes must submit an essay on the importance of sportsmanship.

Zebell has participated in basketball and soccer. He is a three-time All-State selection in soccer, including first team in the fall of 2011.

Zebell is the 2012 Dowagiac Union High School valedictorian with a GPA of 4.00.

The final judging will take place Wednesday to determine the statewide winners of the 32 $1,000 scholarships.

The winners will be recognized at an award ceremony at the Michigan High School Athletic Association boys basketball finals Saturday, March 24 at the Breslin Center on the campus of Michigan State University.