A Celebration Of Student-Athlete Academic Success

MOUNT PLEASANT, Mich. -- Plenty to celebrate for Central Michigan Athletics in 2018-19 on the fields, the courts, the mats, the track, the gym, and the golf course.

On Wednesday, the department took a break from practices and competitions to celebrate its student-athletes' academic achievements at the 27^th Annual Ferrantino Foundation Academic Excellence Banquet.

One hundred fifty Chippewa student-athletes – fully one-third of the entire student-athlete population – were honored for achieving a grade point average of 3.50 or better during a dinner at the Courtyard by Marriott ballroom.

President Robert O. Davies addressed the gathering of some 300 CMU student-athletes and their parents, along with Chippewa coaches, department staff, and supporters.

Dr. René Shingles and her husband, Stan Shingles, served as the mistress and master of ceremonies, and they pointed out CMU student-athletes' continual and sustained academic success, including the fact that CMU student-athletes currently boast a cumulative grade point average of 3.209. It marks the 40^th consecutive semester that Chippewa student-athletes have carried a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or better.

René Shingles also highlighted the Chippewas' collective success within the Mid-American Conference as CMU has claimed the league's prestigious Cartwright Award twice since its inception in 2008-09 and the conference's Sportsmanship Award three times in the last four years.

Katie Sharp, a senior on the lacrosse team, delivered a touching speech about her experience at CMU as a student-athlete.

The Pat Podoll Outstanding Academic Achievement Awards went to Kayla McClure and Leah Umberger of the field hockey team, and Logan Targgart of the men's track & field team.

The Dick Enberg Team Leadership Award went to coach Sue Guevara's women's basketball team, while the Chippewa men's and women's cross country teams swept the Outstanding Team GPA Awards.

Student-Athlete Services Learning Specialist Jennie Walker presented the Academic Achievement Award to Clayton Walderzak of the football team.

Finalists for the Dick Enberg Scholar-Athlete of the Year Award and for the Bill Boyden Leadership Award were also announced, and each team's top scholar athlete were also recognized.

Team Top Scholar Athlete: Zach Gilles, baseball; Larry Austin, men's basketball; Kenneth Goolsby, men's track & field/cross country; Drew Hildebrandt, wrestling; Presley Hudson, women's basketball; Sarah Mesko, field hockey; Danielle Sawyer, golf; Gianna Plaksa, gymnastics; Samantha Allmacher, women's track & field/cross country; Shannon Doyle, lacrosse; Morgan Britain, soccer; Rachel Vieira, softball; Megan Kern, volleyball.

Bill Boyden Leadership Award nominess: Mark Beckmann, men's cross country; Logan Targgart, men's track & field; Marle Bringard, soccer; David DiLeo, men's basketball; Calli Stemple, women's track & field; Carissa Gobbi, women's cross country; Jessica Schuchardt, lacrosse; Denelle Pedrick, gymnastics; Georgina Minta, field hockey; Logan Parks, wrestling; Danielle Sawyer, golf.

Dick Enberg Scholar-Athlete of the Year Award finalists: Danielle Sawyer, golf; Morgan Merlino, women's cross country; Conor Naughton, men's indoor track & field/cross country; Marissa Dunn, women's indoor track & field; Jessica Schuchardt, lacrosse; Denelle Pedrick, gymnastics; Megan Kern, volleyball; Georgina Minta, field hockey; Drew Hildebrandt, wrestling; Marle Bringard, soccer.

Central Michigan University Athletics

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