Programs and Players Recognized by NFCA
Three programs and 54 players from the SLIAC have been recognized by the NFCA for their academic success this past season. The three teams earning Easton/NFCA Team GPA honors were Eureka College, Spalding University, and Westminster College. Meanwhile, 54 players from Blackburn College, Eureka College, Spalding University, Webster University, and Westminster College received Easton/NFCA All-America Scholar-Athlete honors.
Spalding University was the highest-ranking team from the SLIAC in terms of team grade-point average. The Golden Eagles finished the year with a team mark of 3.657, ranking them 22nd in NCAA Division III. They are coached by Art Williams and had a SLIAC best 16 players receive individual honors. Jenni Beasley, Kori Calvert, Brianna Coomer, Zoe Facenda, Kaleigh Franklin-Brooks, Hayleigh Gnagie, Madison Loechle, Grayce Marcum, Erica McMann, Allison Nell, Kailey Reed, Karlee Terral, Jessica Tucker, Bella Velez, Bianca Ward, and Dawn Wilson.
Westminster College, coached by Sara Stafford, finished with a team GPA of 3.41; tying for 97th in D3. Nine Blue Jays were recognized individually: Caroline Bentley, Haylee Chandler, Payton Dudenhoeffer, Emily Esquivel, Madelyn Kordik, Maddie Marrero, Madison Scott, Janae Shirk, and Kendall Weber.
Eureka College, coached by Juelle Hodges, finished 125th on the list with a mark of 3.02. Six Red Devils also picked up All-America Scholar-Athlete honors: Rachel Dawson, KayLee Hohlbauch, Claire Schaffner, Bria Wessel, Macey Whisker, and Claire Wuethrich.
In addition, individuals from two other schools received individual honors. Blackburn had 10 players earn All-America Scholar-Athlete honors: Chelsea Ashlock, Holly Heuerman, Ashley Hickerson, Sierra Hiser, Michelle Hollon, Natalie Keith, Miley Kwiatkowski, Grace Mackey, Zoe Mitchell, and Jesse Tomson. The Beavers were coached by Leslie Messina.
Webster University had 14 players receiving individual honors. Receiving recognition were: Kaley Adzick, Emma Bovaconti, Braidyn Burr, Katie Croxall, Ainsley Hinz, Jaelin Holdaway, Sidney Holtz, Kaelyn Kearney, Alyssa Lyell, Aven Ragwar-Hayes, Madi Stichling, Paige Thomas, Reese Waggoner, and Ella Zgaynor. The Gorloks were coached by Katie Griffith.
In order to be named an Easton/NFCA All-America Scholar-Athlete, a student-athlete must have above a 3.5 grade point average. There were 8,297 total student-athletes that were recognized with the award across all college divisions. Of those 8,297 athletes, 2,369 were recognized at the Division III level.
