Field Hockey Posts 3rd Highest GPA in DII; 14 Mounties Named NFHCA National Academic Squad

2016 Mar 23

Mansfield University field hockey posted the third highest GPA in NCAA Division II while 14 Mountaineers registered National Field Hockey Coaches Association (NFHCA) National Academic Squad honors including three Scholars of Distinction.

The NFHCA is a non-profit organization serving field hockey coaches and supporters of the game from across the United States.

As a team, Mansfield earned a GPA of 3.46 to earn the NFHCA Academic Team Award. It marks the second straight season that the Mounties have posted the third highest GPA in the 31-team NCAA Division II. Kutztown University, led by MU alum Marci Lippert Scheuing '05, topped the country in team GPA at 3.54.

To earn NFHCA National Academic Squad honors, a student-athlete must maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.30 or higher. The Mountaineers notched 14 on the National Academic Squad in Tatum Albertson, Emily Blidy, Julie Cacace, Mallory Christman, Megan Greenplate, Brianna Hathaway, Laura Lawson, Katie Lipski, Sabrina Shrawder, Gabrielle Spatz, Haley Stevens, Claire Swink, Chelsea Tanco and Avery Yoder. Christman and Hathaway have been named to National Academic Squad honors in all four years of their careers.

Cacace, Hathaway and Lawson were all named NFHCA Scholars of Distinction for earning a cumulative GPA of 3.90 or higher. Hathaway is a four-time Scholar of Distinction while Lawson has notched the honor three times and Cacace twice.

The Mountaineers are led by first-year head coach and Mansfield Field Hockey alum Brittany Kostishion Hansrote '09.