Gaston College softball honored for academic excellence by National Fastpitch Coaches Association

Gaston College's 2023-24 softball team finished 19th in the country as a team and 13 players were among 8,054 who received Easton/National Fastpitch Coaches Assocation All-America Scholar-Athlete honors.

Coach Mike Steuerwald's Rhinos finished tied for 19th in all divisions of the National Junior College Athletic Association as a team with a 3.58 grade-point average and Kendall Bradshaw, Rebecca Clark, Phoebe Cole, Abigail Gawlinski, Emma Ghorley, Skye Harrington, Tessa Hunt, Kinsey Johnson, Grace Kealy, Logan Lilly, Dakota Marshall, Alayna Patrick and Kinsey Reid were named to the NJCAA All-American team.

Southern Illinois University at Carbondale (NCAA Division I) posted the top GPA last season with a 3.856 collective GPA and 22 Salukis' earned scholar-athlete recognition.

Post University (3.84) earned top honors in NCAA Division II, Keuka College (3.822) led NCAA Division III programs, Faulkner University (3.795) lead the NAIA, while Trinity Valley Community College (NJCAA Division I) led all two-year institutions 3.82 GPA.

To earn All-American recognition, student-athletes had to earn a 3.5 GPA or higher during the 2023-24 school year.