National Academic Team Award | National Academic Squad | Scholars of Distinction

WORCESTER, Mass. – The Worcester State University field hockey team has been commended by the National Field Hockey Coaches Association (NFHCA) for their academic achievements during the fall 2017 semester.

As a team, the Lancers' field hockey program earned the 2017 Zag Field Hockey/NFHCA Division III National Academic Team Award for earning a team GPA of a 3.30 or higher during the Fall Semester of the 2017-18 academic year.

"I am so proud of the academic accomplishments this team has achieved," expressed Worcester State's field hockey head coach, Alexa Carlson.  "Not only have we found major success on the field this past season, our student-athletes have also managed their time well enough to excel in the classroom too. Their work ethic is a testament to what our program is all about. They strive for their best in all areas of life and we couldn't be happier to see our student-athletes earn this well-deserved recognition."

More than half of the field hockey team was selected to the 2017 Zag Field Hockey/NFHCA Division III National Academic Squad for achieving a 3.30 or higher through the first semester of the 2017-18 academic year. The individuals recognized are: Olivia Antonelli (Westford, Mass.), Alexa Bobbin (Richmond, R.I.), Sarah Duff (Warren, Mass.), Lauren Fleming (Leominster, Mass.), Michaila Parent (Westborough, Mass.), Faith Parker (Holden, Mass.), Rielley Richards (Athol, Mass.), Lindsay Ryan (Northbridge, Mass.), Kathryn Salemme (Boxborough, Mass.), Katelyn Santos (Acushnet, Mass.), Jolane Thibault (Douglas, Mass.), and Jess Wilding (Somerset, Mass.). Salemme and Thibualt have been named to this squad for all four years of their college careers.

Also this past week, the NFHCA released the Division III Scholars of Distinction and Worcester State had two student-athletes represented on this list for achieving a cumulative GPA of a 3.90 or higher through the first semester of the 2017-18 academic year.

Parent, a junior Chemistry major, is a two-time recipient of this award.

"Michaila is the definition of a Division III student-athlete," said Carlson.  "She is meticulous in all she does, excelling both on and off the field. Her attention to detail in both her athletic and academic endeavors is second to none and I am continually impressed with how well she is able to balance both her studies and her duties to our field hockey program."

Duff, a freshman Nursing major, has also been acknowledged with this prestigious honor.

Carlson also commented on Duff, "Sarah has jumped on the collegiate scene with a bang. She is a rock solid defender for our team and is consistently working hard to better herself as a player. Not only that, she has found much success in the classroom in her first semester at Worcester. She is a part of the Nursing program and her ability to balance all aspects of academics and athletics is crucial to succeeding in that major. She has seamlessly transitioned into college life and I am looking forward to seeing her continue to excel."

Parent and Duff are two of 242 total student-athletes representing 105 schools as Scholars of Distinction.