WNC Softball tops SWAC academic honors; Ashbaugh, Gonzalez earn individual awards
Submitted by editor on Thu, 06/26/2014 - 4:54pm
Not only did the Western Nevada College softball team make strides on the field to finish fourth in the 2014 Region 18 softball tournament in May, the Wildcats outscored their conference foes in a more important area: the classroom.
WNC led three Scenic West Athletic Conference softball teams, making the grade for the 2013-14 National Junior College Athletic Association’s All-Academic Teams announced on Tuesday.
For the third straight year, the Wildcats raised their team grade point average, registering a program-record 3.33 average GPA. That tied the Wildcats for 25th best in the country, not far behind national leader East Central Community College at 3.54.
“That was by far the best semester we’ve ever had,” said WNC coach Leah Wentworth. “It says a lot about the girls who were juggling so much academically and athletically. Being a student comes first, and they definitely backed it up in the classroom, and I was really proud of them.”
Salt Lake Community College (3.28) and College of Southern Idaho (3.07) were the only other SWAC schools earning All-Academic Team honors.
“Salt Lake and CSI are always in it. They are great programs, so to be able to beat them in the classroom is great, and hopefully that will carry on to the field,” Wentworth said.
Teams must collectively average a 3.0 GPA (B) to earn the All-Academic designation a particular sport.
Sophomores Lindsey Ashbaugh and Madison Gonzalez provided the Wildcats with the highest GPAs and were recognized by the NJCAA with Academic Student-Athlete Awards.
“Having players like that on the team, academically absorbing information, they are really helpful to the other girls on the team,” Wentworth said. “We also had quite a few players who were recognized on the Dean’s List” in addition to those who got the honor.
Ashbaugh, a pitcher and third baseman, was recognized for superior academic achievement with 3.83 GPA. Gonzalez, an outfielder and infielder, earned an Exemplary Academic Achievement distinction with a 3.66 GPA.
In the past, Wentworth has credited the team’s mandatory five-hour study hall per week and tutoring assistance for keeping her players on task in the classroom. Because the team’s 2014 schedule required a six-week period of road games, Wentworth said the team studied in groups and utilized more one-on-one instruction.
“They always seem to do better in season. The fact that they are busy studying together on the road, that is really a big factor,” Wentworth said, adding that it’s important that her players have their priorities in order, as a college athlete.
“Athletics are that stepping stone,” she said. “They are doing a great job with what they need to do in the classroom, and that’s what is going to help them down the road.”
