The National Field Hockey Coaches Association has announced its 2008 Division I National Academic Squad, and eight Missouri State University players have been included on this season's squad.
Earning national academic honors for Coach Dawn Callahan's Bears, listed with major and fall 2008 semester GPA, were:
- Katherine Asline (So., F, Wildwood, Mo.), 3.80, Political Science
- Jenna Compton (Fr., D, Edwardsville, Ill.), 3.67, Biology
- Sandy Fulkerson (Sr., D, Wexford, Pa.), 3.77, Biology
- Kelly Irwin (So., F, Bexley, Ohio), 4.00, Psychology
- Kelsey Lomax (Fr., D, O'Fallon, Mo.), 3.21, Undecided
- Ramie Masters (Fr., M, Huntington Beach, Calif.), 4.00, Undecided
- Jessica Schuster (Sr., GK, St. Louis, Mo.), 3.54, Biomedical Sciences
- Lori Sinclair (Fr., D, St. Louis, Mo.), 4.00, Nursing
This season marked the fourth time that seniors Fulkerson and Schuster have been selected to the national academic team.
"We are proud of our young ladies' accomplishments and their continued success in the classroom," said Callahan. "These ladies strive to do their best both on and off the field, and it is nice that they are recognized by NFHCA for their academic achievements."
On February 24, the Bears earned the National Academic Team Award which recognizes those institutions that achieve a minimum GPA of 3.0 during the first semester of the 2008-09 academic year. Missouri State compiled a 3.05 team grade point average this season with 10 players earning a 3.0 GPA or better during the fall semester.
Missouri State is coming off a 6-15 season in 2008 and will depart with just three senior players as it looks ahead to its 2009 campaign