Student Athletes Honored For Their National Accomplishments

Eight local student athletes were recently honored at Penn State Worthington Scranton for awards they received from the United States Collegiate Athletic Association.

Two female athletes were named USCAA All Americans, while six others were recognized for being named to the USCAA National All-Academic Team for their academic achievements.

In order to attain this level of recognition by the USCAA, student athletes must maintain a 3.5 or higher grade point average. 

Maureen Suchecki, Pittston, and Amber Martin, Moscow, both members of the women's cross country team, were recognized as USCAA All Americans.

Fellow teammates, Robin Schafer, Newfoundland, and Justyna Thomas, Honesdale, were named to the USCAA National All-Academic Women's Cross Country Team for the second year in a row. The women had been named to the USCAA's All-Academic Team last year as well.

Nicole Ellett, Uniondale, was named to the USCAA National All Academic Women's Volleyball Team and Doug Mallas, Scranton; David Moss, Scranton; and J. Patrick Murphy, Clarks Summit, were named to the USCAA National All Academic Men's Cross Country Team.

The students were all honored during a recent campus-wide celebration, where they were honored for their acheivements, along with members of Worthington Scranton's Women's Cross Country team, which competed and placed second at the USCAA's National Championship last fall in Concord, N.H. They also won their third consecutive Penn State University Athletic Conference Championship (PSUACC).

Members of the women's cross country team presented their championship banner to Dr. Mary-Beth Krogh-Jespersen, chancellor, so that it could be displayed in the campus gym.

"We want to honor and congratulate these athletes for their efforts and for their significant contributions to our teams and to our campus," said Jeff Mallas, assistant athletic director. "We are very proud of their accomplishments and their commitment to their sport and our campus."