Softball Produces Program-Best 12 NFCA All-America Scholar-Athletes
LOUISVILLE, Ky. — The National Fastpitch Coaches Association released their 2020-21 Easton/NFCA All-America Scholar-Athlete list and St. Joseph's College (Brooklyn) had nearly two-thirds of their roster receive the distinction — Alexis Buchanan (Murrieta, Calif./Murrieta), Sierra Bedrin (Rocklin, Calif./Whitney), Emily Burroughs (Escondido, Calif./San Pasqual), Ashleigh Hartwig (Santee, Calif./West Hills), Allison Kaspar (Miller Place, N.Y./Rocky Point), Emily Martinez (Brooklyn, N.Y./James Madison), Maeve McKeon (Point Pleasant, N.J./Point Pleasant), Jessica Mecham (West Jordan, Utah/Copper Hills), Kristen Oddo (Brooklyn, N.Y./James Madison), Vanessa Quigley (Staten Island, N.Y./New Dorp), Gabriella Salvador (Staten Island, N.Y./New Dorp), and Nicole Trani (Staten Island, N.Y./Moore Catholic).
"At St. Joseph's, we encourage our athletes to focus on their studies in order to become scholar-athletes," commented Head Coach Danielle Fazzolare. "The ability to maintain good grades, carry themselves in a presentable manner, and become productive individuals in society supersedes their athletic abilities. The skills and character they have built as scholar-athletes will carry them well beyond the softball field."
In total, over 8,800 college and high-school student-athletes nationally received NFCA Scholar-Athlete honors, setting an Association record. NCAA Division III led the way with 2,375 student-athletes maintaining a grade-point average of 3.5 or higher for the 2020-21 academic year. Adding to the NFCA accolade, all 12 Bears landed on the Skyline Conference Spring 2021 Academic Honor Roll announced in the summer.
All four of the Bears' 2021 All-Skyline Conference honorees — Hartwig (First Team), Buchanan (First Team), Bedrin (Second Team), and Trani (Second Team) — were tagged with the distinction. Hartwig also repeated as the Skyline Player of the Year and was an NFCA First Team All-Region selection.
In 2021, St. Joseph's compiled a 17-10 mark overall and 12-9 in Skyline play, setting new program records for conference wins and highest league conference winning percentage. The Bears will open their 2022 campaign in mid-March.
2020-21 Easton/NFCA All-America Scholar-Athletes reach new high; Top-10 team GPAs announced