Thirteen From Field Hockey Earn NFHCA Academic Squad Honors
MANAHAWKIN, N.J. — Thirteen members of the University of Saint Joseph (USJ) field hockey program were named to the 2023 National Field Hockey Coaches Association (NFHCA) Division III National Academic Squad, it was announced by the association Wednesday afternoon. This year, over 1,800 student-athletes from 155 Division III institutions earned recognition for the high academic accolade. The total for USJ was the most for a team from the Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC).
The NFHCA National Academic Squad program, sponsored by OPA Winning Teams, celebrates the academic excellence of undergraduate collegiate student-athletes. This prestigious recognition is bestowed upon individuals who have attained a cumulative grade-point average of 3.5 or higher through the fall semester of the current academic year, and who have been nominated by their dedicated NFHCA member coaches.
Seniors Wendy Bowden (Old Saybrook, Conn.) and McKenna Gibson (Old Saybrook, Conn.), juniors Abby Delgado (Southington, Conn.) and Maya Tomko (Sparta, N.J.), sophomores Aurelia Barker (Thomaston, Conn.), McKenzie Fairfax (Waterbury, Conn.), Devan Fox (Granville, Mass.), Ariana Komonaj (Thomaston, Conn.), and Isabella Pelletier (Weare, N.H.), and freshmen Gabriella Borruso (Port Jefferson Station, N.Y. ), Katrina Drouin (Enfield, Conn.), Taylor Lambert (Richmond, R.I.) and Jacqueline Thibodeau (Granby, Conn.), earned the national honor for the Blue Jays. The group was amongst 108 student-athletes from across the GNAC to receive the honors.
Connecticut College distinguished itself by securing the highest number of National Academic Squad selections this year, boasting an impressive tally of 26 student-athletes on the prestigious list. Following closely, Middlebury College claimed the second-highest spot with 24 student-athletes honored, while Johns Hopkins University, Juniata College, and Shenandoah University collectively secured the third-highest position, each with 22 student-athletes earning this prestigious distinction.
About the NFHCA
The National Field Hockey Coaches Association (NFHCA) is a nonprofit organization serving field hockey coaches and supporters of the game from across the United States. The mission of the association is to champion, strengthen, and celebrate field hockey coaches and the game. The NFHCA strives to be the organization that every field hockey coach looks to for the resources to grow in the game and the inspiration to stay in the game.
Follow USJ Athletics
For the latest on University of Saint Joseph athletics, follow the Blue Jays on social media on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube.
Fans can also download the USJ Front Row Mobile App and subscribe to our Newsletter and Text Alerts. #FearTheFlock #GoBlueJays