Courtesy: Siena Athletics
BRIDGEPORT, PA – Siena Water Polo continued to thrive in the classroom this past season, with a program record 13 student athletes placed on the Association of Collegiate Water Polo Coaches Academic All-America Team following the 2020-21 season. The Saints also took home the Team Academic Award for an impressive cumulative mark.
“Having 13 student athletes receive Academic All-America honors is a tremendous reflection of each team member’s commitment to building universal success skills,” head coach Alex Williams said. “Through a year filled with obstacles, the team adapted to learning through a variety of modes. I am proud, but mostly excited at the unique skill sets they have gained as a result of their perseverance.”
The Saints received the Team All-Academic Recognition for holding a 3.46 cumulative GPA, which exceeded the criteria of achieving a cumulative mark of 3.0 or better. The Green and Gold posted a 3.32 team mark during the Spring 2021 team, with 11 members of the program holding a semester GPA of 3.0 or better.
Individually, the program saw double-digit student athletes collect All-Academic honors for the second straight year in 16 years of receiving the award. Rising junior Lily Graham (3.8) & recently graduated senior Kristen Burger (3.73) earned “Outstanding” distinction, which is awarded to student athletes who possess between a 3.71 – 4.0 cumulative GPA. Rising junior Maggie Verduijn (3.7), rising sophomore Mackenzie Peters (3.6) rising senior Georgia Vargas (3.58), recent graduate Anna Borton (3.55), rising sophomore Caroline Behr (3.52), and rising senor Bianca Prinsloo (3.51) were given the “superior” distinction for maintaining GPA’s between 3.41 – 3.70. Finally, rising junior Anna Mossakowski (3.37), and rising sophomores Emelene Burek (3.34), Danni Croteau (3.32), Kaley Bigley (3.29) and recent graduate Sophia Torres (3.32) received “Excellent” honors for holding marks between 3.20 – 3.40.
