Linfield University

The National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) recently recognized all players who earned Easton/NFCA All-America Scholar-Athlete recognition for the 2023-24 academic year. Each year, the NFCA recognizes collegiate softball athletes who maintain a 3.5 or higher GPA. Overall, 17 Wildcats were recognized for outstanding academic progress throughout the 2023-24 academic year. Read the full announcement at https://golinfieldwildcats.com/news/2024/8/23/softball-nfca-honors-17-wildcats-as-all-america-scholar-athletes.aspx

Four Linfield University athletes were recognized for their academic and athletic accomplishment during the 2023-24 academic year. They are Chris Cayford (Beaverton, Ore.), Zack LaPlaca (Bend, Ore.), Riley Lynch (Seattle, Wash.) and Trevor Price (Bullhead City, Ariz.). According to the Collegiate Golf website: "To be eligible for Cobalt Golf All-America Scholar nomination, an individual must be a sophomore, junior or senior both academically and athletically in NCAA Division I, II, III, and NAIA, or receiving their Associate's Degree and in their last year of athletic eligibility in the NJCAA. In addition, they must participate in 50% of their team's competitive rounds, have a stroke average under 76.0 in NCAA Division I, under 78.0 in NCAA Division II, under 79.0 in NCAA Division III, under 78.0 in NAIA, and under 77.0 in NJCAA, and maintain a minimum cumulative career grade-point average of 3.2. A recipient must also be of high moral character and be in good standing at their college or university." Linfield makes its 2024-25 season debut Sept. 22-24 when the Wildcats compete in the Orange & Black Invitational hosted by Lewis & Clark College at Tualatin Country Club.

Jayce Gillis, a December 2023 graduate of the Linfield University-Good Samaritan School of Nursing, was awarded the Senior Honors in Nursing Award at the Dec. 15 pinning ceremony.

Rebecca Johns, a December 2023 graduate of the Linfield University-Good Samaritan School of Nursing, was awarded the Wilma Pope Alumni Award at the Dec. 15 pinning ceremony.

Monica Salazar, a December 2023 graduate of the Linfield University-Good Samaritan School of Nursing, was awarded the Professional Excellence in Nursing Award at the Dec. 15 pinning ceremony.

Two Linfield University women's golf team members have been named All-American Scholars by the Women's Golf Coaches Association. Senior-to-be Caitlin Hillman and junior-to-be Tori Schuller are among 1,401 women's collegiate golfers nationwide to be honored this week by the WGCA. To qualify for the All-American Scholar Team, honorees must carry a minimum cumulative grade point average is 3.50, making the selection criteria some of the most stringent in all of college athletics, according to the WGCA. Schuller was a repeat selection. The Clinton, Washington, resident recorded a 3.73 cumulative GPA during her second full year at Linfield. Hillman, from Gearhart, Oregon, completed her third year of collegiate golf while maintaining a 3.54 cumulative GPA. Together, Hillman and Schuller led the Linfield women's golf team to a fifth-place finish among nine teams in the final Northwest Conference point standings. See the complete WGCA All-America Scholar team.

Paige Richards and Kara Thomas were pivotal pieces on the court in Linfield University's improved 2022 season, but the duo also performed well in the classroom, earning their ways to the 2022 College Sports Communicators NCAA Division III Academic All-District Women's Volleyball Team, released Tuesday. Richards, an exercise science major, and Thomas, a public health major, were among 19 student-athletes selected from the Northwest Conference. Pacific Lutheran, Puget Sound, Whitworth and Willamette all had four Academic All-District honorees while Pacific rounded out the conference with one selection. The sophomore Richards finished second on the team with 256 digs, averaging 3.51 digs per set. She appeared in 20 matches and 73 sets, totaling 47 assists and 17 service aces. A senior right-side hitter, Thomas eclipsed the century mark in kills, notching 111 and averaging 1.46 per set. She added eight assists, 46 digs and 42 blocks, which ranked third on the team. The 2022 College Sports Communicators Academic All-District Women's Volleyball Teams recognize student-athletes for their success in both athletics and academics. Linfield's honorees will advance to the CSC Academic All-America ballot. Academic All-Americans will be announced in December.

Showing excellency on the pitch and in the classroom, six members of the Linfield University women's soccer team earned their ways to the 2022 College Sports Communicators NCAA Division III Academic All-District Women's Soccer Team, announced Tuesday. Seniors McCall Bennion, Laney Green and Megan Sweeney, juniors Ellie Friedrichsen and Riley Omonaka and sophomore Emily Hyde were all acknowledged by CSC, formally known as the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA). The 2022 College Sports Communicators Academic All-District Women's Soccer Teams recognize student-athletes for their success on the field and in the classroom. Linfield's six honorees will advance to the CSC Academic All-America ballot. Academic All-Americans will be announced in December.

This weekend, Linfield University ended a remarkable 10-1 football season, but for some Wildcat student-athletes, success was also found in the classroom. Six student-athletes earned selection to the 2022 College Sports Communicators NCAA Division III Academic All-District Football Team, announced last week. Seniors Isaac Hoidal and Brady Wessel, juniors Logan Carr, Chase Michalczik and Jacob Slifka and sophomore Gavin Dalziel are among 40 student-athletes from six Northwest Conference institutions selected to the Academic All-District Team. Puget Sound, Whitworth and Willamette all led the conference with eight honorees while George Fox and Pacific Lutheran had five apiece. The 2022 College Sports Communicators Academic All-District Football Teams recognize student-athletes for their success on the field and in the classroom. Linfield's honorees will advance for consideration on the CSC Academic All-America ballot. Academic All-America Teams will be announced in December.