Storm softball earns top-five GPA in the nation

LOUISVILLE, Ky. -- The Simpson softball team tied for fourth in the country with a 3.68 grade-point average as 16 student-athletes were named National Fastpitch Coaches Association All-America Scholar-Athletes, announced by Easton/NFCA Wednesday.

"The players really made an effort to do the 'extra' in the classroom and in their academic work this past year," said head coach Brent Matthias. "We always talk about if you're going to do something, do it to your best ability. I'm so proud of the team, they really showed that the word 'student-athlete' starts with 'student' for a reason."

The 16 players that were recognized for the Storm are Emily Bell, Camrey Leo, Kayla Reusche, Lizzy Adams, Ashley Allen, Olivia Allen, Amron Born, Mackenzie DePhillips, Brooke Fonley, Kelli Hanson, Mary Leopold, Claire Oetting, Georgia Porter, Randie Richmond, Kayley Thomas and Kat Velasquez.

The Storm are the lone American Rivers Conference squad to be featured in the top 10 of the list.

To view the Easton/NFCA release, click here.

Over 8,000 student-athletes, a first in NFCA history, were named 2019 Easton/NFCA All-America Scholar-Athletes. The rankings and honors recognize the academic prowess of softball teams across the Association's membership categories. NCAA Division III led the way with 1,928 student-athletes earning a 3.5 grade-point average or higher for 2018-19. NCAA Division I and Division II followed with 1,769 and 1,306 honorees. High School weighted and High School unweighted earned 1,225 and 793 distinctions. NAIA and two-year programs each amassed 570 recipients.

Top-10 List
t-1. Greenville - 3.780
t-1. Johnson & Wales - 3.780
3. Wisconsin-Whitewater - 3.700
t-4. Simpson - 3.680
t-4. Amherst - 3.680
6. Principia - 3.678
7. Endicott - 3.662
8. Stevens Tech - 3.632
9. MIT - 3.630
10. Kean - 3.628