Dec. 21, 2015
MAC Release | Follow @MSUBearsFHockey
CLEVELAND - Five Missouri State field hockey student-athletes were voted by faculty athletic representatives as Distinguished Scholar Athletes, representing the 'best of the best' from the seven Mid-American Conference fall sports the league announced Monday, Dec. 21.
Missouri State seniors Kimberleigh Eng, Jessi Pope, Charlie Redhead and Holly Scherer were named MAC Distinguished Scholars for the second consecutive season, while Patrice Ahl was honored as a Distinguished Scholar for the first time.
The Distinguished Scholar Athlete is a second-year award given to students who have excelled in athletics and academics. Following each season from the fall sports schedule, any student with a 3.20 GPA and participation in at least 50 percent of the contests was automatically named to the previously announced Academic All-MAC Team from each sport. Also, first-year students and junior college transfers in their first year of residence were not eligible for the award.
A total of 210 students were chosen by the faculty athletic representatives, with 24 coming from the seven MAC field hockey-playing institutions. MSU's five student-athletes were the most recognized as Distinguished Scholars among the MAC field hockey teams.
Ahl was named a Distinguished Scholar for the first time after starting in all 18 games for the Bears this season. An All-MAC Second Team selection, Ahl finished the 2015 season with career highs in assists (4) and points (4). The defender is currently majoring in fashion merchandising and holds a 3.75 GPA.
A senior on the 2015 Bears roster, Eng graduated this fall after earning a 3.93 GPA while majoring in advertising and promotion. Eng made 16 appearances for MSU in 2015, as the forward notched three multi-shot performances during the season. Her lone goal of the year helped seal the Bears' first win of the season at Davison.
A senior from Stafford, Virginia, Jessi Pope started in all 18 games for the Bears this season. The defender set career highs in goals (1), assists (3), points (5) and shots (2) in 2015. Pope currently has a 4.0 cumulative GPA while majoring in psychology.
A three-year captain, Charlie Redhead was selected as a Distinguished Scholar for the second time. A second-team all-conference honoree for the third season, Redhead appeared in all 18 contests and started in 17 for Missouri State. The midfielder is majoring in psychology and currently has a 3.87 GPA.
Scherer joined her four fellow Bears as Distinguished Scholars. Currently majoring in administrative management with a 3.93 GPA, the forward led MSU in goals (6), points (12), shots (46) and shots on goal (26), serving as the Bears' scoring leader for the second straight season. Scherer finished her MSU career in a tie for seventh all-time on the Missouri State scoring list with 58 career points.
Later this winter and spring, the MAC will announce the Distinguished Scholar Athletes from the remaining 16 winter and spring sports sponsored by the conference.
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