DECATUR, Ala. - Among 275 student-athletes recognized nationwide, Ashford University softball seniors Alisha Parker of Camanche, Whitney Bauer of DeWitt and Kimberly Samples of Bolingbrook, Ill., each received status as NAIA-Daktronics Scholar-Athletes announced earlier today.
Recipients eligible needed to have a junior standing academically with at least one full year at the institution enrolled while maintaining a cumulative 3.5 GPA or above.
As the team's lone four-year senior, Parker carried over her NAIA Academic All-American distinction from her junior campaign as a two-sport qualifier in volleyball and softball.
Bauer and Samples each earned the academic honor in their first year of eligibility for the award after transferring from NIACC and Joliet Junior College, respectively.
As a whole, a single-season record total of 20 Saints' student-athletes have collected NAIA-Daktronics Scholar-Athlete accolades for the sports announced so far to date.
"We are very proud of the number of student-athletes who have excelled in the classroom this year to receive national recognition," AU Athletics Director Meg Schebler said. "It shows not just their dedication to do well on the field, but their commitment to balance that excellence in academics."
Parker and Bauer both graduated recently having majored in Public Relations/Marketing and Criminal Justice, respectively. Samples will return to campus this fall to complete her degree towards Elementary Education.
2009-10 Ashford NAIA Academic All-Americans
Men's Basketball - Daniel Joiner
Men's Cross Country/Track - Andrew Drinkall
Men's Soccer - Keith Caldwell
Men's Soccer - Macklin Larsen
Men's Soccer - Mike Lentini
Men's Soccer - Nathan Billany
Men's Soccer - Kyle Mantick
Men's Soccer - Nick Roman
Softball - Whitney Bauer
Softball - Alisha Parker
Softball - Kimberly Samples
Volleyball - Breelyn McMahon
Volleyball - Lisa LaMasse
Volleyball - Kelsay McCausland
Volleyball - Tara VanZuiden
Volleyball - Rachel Caulkins
Women's Basketball - Kelly Fisher
Women's Soccer - Kylie Willet
Women's Soccer - Erika Jakobsen
Women's Soccer - Kira Favaro
