Dozen Statesmen Garner NAIA Scholar-Athlete Honors
Oskaloosa–Twelve members of the William Penn softball team were honored for their excellence in the classroom as they were named 2024 Daktronics NAIA Scholar-Athletes Wednesday.
Emily Winkler (So., North Platte, Neb., Exercise Science) topped the huge grouping with a perfect 4.00 Grade Point Average entering the spring semester. Abby Wilson (Sr., Calgary, Alberta, Nursing), at 3.96, led the remaining individuals who were at or above 3.90, while Zoey Jones (Sr., Ottumwa, Iowa, Elementary Education) (3.93) and Madisyn Tracy (So., Joplin, Mo., Nursing) (3.90) also eclipsed the mark.
Karah Dunham (Jr., Weston, Mo., Human Services and Psychology) was next at 3.88, while Rebecca Warren (Jr., Las Vegas, Nev., Nursing) (3.75), Chelsey Huff (Jr., Douds, Iowa, Exercise Science) (3.73), and Charley Geguzis (Sr., Williamsburg, Iowa, Business Management) (3.70) were also higher than the 3.70 standard.
Hannah Gibson (Jr., Pleasantville, Iowa, Elementary Education) (3.68) guided the final four individuals, while Emily Bryant (Sr., University Place, Wash., Nursing) (3.58), Alexis Price (So., Oskaloosa, Iowa, Elementary Education) (3.57), and Bailee Rinn (So., Omaha, Neb., Biology) (3.53) also entered the spring better than the 3.50 threshold.
The laurel is the third in Wilson’s career, while Geguzis, Huff, and Warren are all now two-time recipients. Bryant, Dunham, Gibson, Jones (also one award in cheer), Price, Rinn, Tracy, and Winkler receive their first awards.
A total of 1,250 softball players from within the NAIA were awarded the laurel.
To be eligible for the award, athletes must maintain a cumulative grade point average of 3.5 or above on a 4.0 scale, have attended the nominating institution for one full year prior to nomination, and must appear on the sport’s eligibility paperwork.
