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 |