MANAHAWKIN, N.J. - The UAlbany field hockey team has placed 11 student-athletes on the 2024 NFHCA Division I National Academic Squad, three of which have been named NFHCA Division I Scholars of Distinction.
 
The NFHCA National Academic Squad program, sponsored by OPA Winning Teams, honors collegiate student-athletes who have achieved a cumulative grade-point average of 3.5 or higher through the first semester of the current academic year and were nominated by their NFHCA member coach. The Scholars of Distinction program recognizes those who achieved a cumulative grade-point average of 3.9 or higher during the same time frame.
 
Leading her team with her fourth honor in as many years, Lara Behn was named a Scholar of Distinction and added her fourth National Academic Squad honor. 
 
Joining Behn in their fourth year on the National Academic Squad is Floor de Ruiter, Isabella Del Vecchio, Lauren Willis, and Julianne Zunic. Fellow seniors Alison Smisdom and Rylee Zunic tabbed their third consecutive National Academic Squad nod.
 
Sophomore Emma Staron earned her second consecutive Scholar of Distinction honor while freshman Ellie Myers opened her career with the academic award.
 
Eva Jenniskens and Sophia Schoonmaker joined Myers and Staron on the National Academic Squad for the 2024 season.
 
UAlbany's student-athletes serve as just a fraction of this year's nearly 1,100 student-athletes selected from the 80 Division I institutions recognized on the National Academic Squad. The four Great Danes named Scholars of Distinction are part of the larger-than-275-person group.
 
For the full NFHCA releases, click here: National Academic Squad | Scholars of Distinction
 
Two Division I academic awards remain to be announced - the NFHCA National Academic Team awards on February 18 and the NFHCA National Scholar-Athlete on February 20.
 
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