LOUISVILLE, Ky. – For the third consecutive year, Illinois State Softball has earned within the top five cumulative team grade point average among NCAA Division I softball programs posting a 3.779 for the 2023-24 academic year as announced by the National Fastpitch Coaches Association and Easton Fastpitch.
In addition to earning the fifth-best team GPA, Redbird Softball had a total of 16 student athletes-named to the Easton/NFCA All-America Scholar-Athlete team. In order to obtain All-America status, Easton/NFCA require student-athletes to earn a 3.5 cumulative GPA for the 2023-24 academic year.
"We are extremely proud of this group, and their tremendous pride and effort they hold in their academics," said head coach Tina Kramos. "Earning this honor for three consecutive years is not only a nod to their dedication in the classroom, but the support staff who works tirelessly to help the student-athletes achieve their goals."
The team finished the 2023-24 year with a 3.779 cumulative team GPA in the spring, after setting a new program record for GPA in the fall. The team was less than .1 away from the leader for the 2023-24 season, MVC rival SIU.
Nine Redbird Softball student-athletes earned a 4.0 cumulative GPA for the academic year, including Abby Knight, Abby Horton, Addison Masching, Bailah Bognar, Bella Wilkerson, Delainey Bryant, Emma Hicks, Hannah Meshnick, and Kaili Chval. Â
The Redbirds earned previous academic recognition as seven Redbirds were named to MVC Scholar-Athlete teams with juniors Delainey Bryant and Addison Masching earning First Team honors, while Bella Wilkerson, Kaili Chval, Abby Knight, Hannah Meshnick, and Abby Horton all earned Second Team honors. The Birds also garnered recognition with the CSC, where fifth-year senior Kaili Chval, and juniors Delainey Bryant, Abby Knight, Addison Masching, and Bella Wilkerson were all honored for their outstanding academic achievement as Academic All-District members.
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