Lady Canes Place Trio On PBC All-Academic Team

Lady Canes Place Trio On PBC All-Academic Team

AMERICUS, Ga. -- The Georgia Southwestern State University women's cross country team placed a program-best three student-athletes on the 2017 Peach Belt Conference All-Academic team announced Wednesday afternoon by the league office. Sophomore Connie Lewis, junior Katherine McGarr and junior Savannah Ross earned the recognition.

Lewis earned the honor in her first year of eligibility. A native of Crawfordville, Fla., Lewis holds a grade point average of 3.515 as a general education major. She has been the third Lady Hurricane across the finish line in each of the team's four races this fall. Her best result was a seventh place finish at the Middle Georgia State Invitational on Sept. 9.

McGarr, a native of Cordele, Ga., was named all-academic for the second consecutive year. She holds a grade point average of 3.35 as a history major. McGarr finished second on the team in each of GSW's races this season. Her best result was a sixth place finish at the Middle Georgia State Invitational.

Ross, a native of Tallapoosa, Ga., is making her first appearance on the all-academic squad. She holds a grade point average of 3.351 as a history major. Ross' fastest time this season came at the Cougar Invitational on Sept. 23, which is the same race site as the Peach Belt Conference Championships which the Lady Hurricanes will compete in this Saturday. 

The PBC All-Academic team is part of a season-long program recognizing the outstanding accomplishments of Peach Belt student-athletes in the classroom as well as on the field.

To be eligible for the All-Academic team, a student-athlete must 1) participate in at least half of his/her team's events and be either a starter or significant contributor; 2) achieved a 3.30 cumulative grade point average (on a 4.0 scale) and 3) completed at least one full academic year at his or her current institution. The PBC Sports Information Directors oversee the program.

Below is a list of the entire 2017 Women's Cross Country PBC All-Academic team.

2017 Women's Cross Country All-Academic Team

Player School Year Hometown GPA Major (Minor)
MacKenzie Arnold Francis Marion Sr. Murrells Inlet, S.C. 3.55 Modern Languages (International Study)
Sarah Buckler North Georgia So. Ringgold, Ga. 4.00 Biology (Pre-PA)
Madison Bowers Georgia College So. Cumming, Ga. 3.43 Outdoor Education
Hailey Budd Clayton State Sr. Hartwell, Ga. 3.88 Liberal Arts
Alexis Byers Francis Marion So. Carnegie, Pa. 3.41 Biology
Carla Catala Martin Clayton State Jr. Barcelona, Spain 3.80 Management
Maria Coughlin North Georgia So. Lilburn, Ga. 3.90 History Education
Joy Diaz Clayton State Sr. Riverdale, Ga. 4.00 Theater
Emma Driggers Francis Marion So. Mauldin, S.C. 4.00 Modern Languages
Heloise Duffie de Tassigny Flagler Jr. Angers, France 3.593 Business
Makayla Ellis North Georgia Jr. Clermont, Ga. 3.66 General Studies
Bethany Fordham USC Aiken Jr. Groton, Mass. 3.75 Nursing
Tatiana Forester Columbus State Sr. Douglasville, Ga. 3.97 Exercise Science
Kaitlyn Griffith Georgia College So. Cumming, Ga. 3.90 Psychology
Rachel Hammesfahr Augusta So. Richmond Hill, Ga. 4.00 Biology
Jastonie Hill Columbus State So. Columbus, Ga. 3.84 Nursing
Maddy Howe Georgia College So. Dacula, Ga. 3.79 Community Health
Macy Hayes Augusta Jr. Winder, Ga. 3.36 Psychology
Aleah Johnson North Georgia So. Canton, Ga. 3.70 Pre-Education
Olivia Ivings Columbus State Jr. Smiths Station, Ala. 3.65 English Literature (Language)
Amber Laughinghouse USC Aiken Sr. Edgefield, S.C. 3.821 Nursing
Connie Lewis Georgia Southwestern So. Crawfordville, Fla. 3.515 General Education
Grace Lynch Georgia College So. Lawrenceville, Ga. 3.72 Early Childhood Education
Katherine McGarr Georgia Southwestern Jr. Cordele, Ga. 3.35 History
Kelly McGeehan Flagler So. Jacksonville, Fla. 3.671 English
Kayla McNamara Flagler So. Jacksonville, Fla. 3.523 Journalism & Media Relations
Lauren Penkala Flagler Jr. Naperville, Ill. 3.311 Strategic Communication (Public Relations)
Diana Petrmichlova Augusta Sr. Klaytovy, Czech Republic 3.61 Management
Michaela Reynolds UNC Pembroke So. Murrietta, Calif. 3.409 Special Education
Savannah Ross Georgia Southwestern Jr. Tallapoosa, Ga. 3.351 History
Jenna Sanborn North Georgia Sr. Silver Creek, Ga. 3.77 Nursing
Brittany Schwind Georgia College Sr. Suwanee, Ga. 3.64 English (Spanish)
Laura Shkembi Clayton State So. Oostende, Belgium 3.50 Accounting
Emily Sims North Georgia Jr. Peachtree City, Ga. 3.79 Special Education
Dara Staton Columbus State So. Canton, Ga. 3.77 Exercise Science
Anna Tipton Georgia College So. Hartwell, Ga. 3.89 Biology (Mathematics)
Kim Toscano North Georgia Sr. Milton, Ga. 3.94 Physical Education (Exercise Science)
Brittany Truitt North Georgia Sr. Villa Rica, Ga. 3.33 Physical Education
Jasmine Watson Francis Marion So. Florence, S.C. 3.81 Biology
Lara Way Augusta Sr. Martinez, Ga. 3.63 Biology
Abigayle Weinfeld Flagler So. Englewood, Fla. 3.358 Media Studies
Andie Whitfield North Georgia So. Kennesaw, Ga. 3.78 Psychology
Sarah Wilder Georgia College Jr. Ty Ty, Ga. 4.00 Chemistry (Mathematics)
Rebecca Winslow Georgia College Sr. Lawrenceville, Ga. 3.98 Spanish (International Studies)
Katherine Yost Georgia College Sr. Norcross, Ga. 3.42 Exercise Science (Physical Education)
Kimberly Zahm Clayton State Sr. Bethlehem, Ga. 3.48 Psychology and Human Services