Kutztown University of Pennsylvania

Four members of the Kutztown University softball team were voted to the 2026 All-Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference Team. The Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference's leader in hits, Emily Henn (Matamoras, Pa./Delaware Valley), brought home the 2026 PSAC East Athlete of the Year for Kutztown, head coach Judy Lawes earned the Coach of the Year and Haley Gravish (Hamburg, Pa./Hamburg), Morgan Slomkowski (Toms River, N.J./Toms River East) and Alexa Stevens (Jefferson Township, Pa./North Pocono) were voted to the All-PSAC East Second Team. Henn is the Golden Bears' first Athlete of the Year since Sara Keeny in 2019. Lawes garners her 10th Coach of the Year and first since 2022. A junior from Matamoras, Pa., Henn is now a three-time All-PSAC selection, with back-to-back First Team nods and a Second Team her freshman season. She leads the PSAC in hits with 81 and is second in runs scored (55) and triples (6), starting all 52 games in center field. Her .422 batting average ranks fourth in the conference and leads the East Division, while also being tied for third in doubles (16). Henn is also a force on the base paths, as her 17 steals is the seventh most in the PSAC. Lawes, who was recently inducted into the NFCA Hall of Fame as part of the 2025 class, won her 1,200th career game in April, and is just seven victories shy of surpassing Jan Hutchinson's PSAC career win total of 1,215. She is in her 39th season in charge of the KU program, the longest tenured head coach at KU. Lawes holds a record of 1,209-682-2, ranking second among active Division II head coaches and is eighth overall. She was also named the PSAC Coach of the Year in 1989, 1994, 2000, 2007, 2009, 2012, 2017 and 2021, along with the last one in 2022. Gravish, a graduate student from Hamburg, is now a three-time All-PSAC East Second Teamer, also garnering the honor in 2023 and 2025. She currently ranks second in the conference in wins (22) and is fourth in ERA (2.35), throwing 166.2 innings, third-most in the PSAC. Gravish has recorded 94 career victories to date, six shy from the program record for wins in a career. She also ranks second at KU in career strikeouts (530), complete games (80) and innings pitched (793). Gravish has made 35 appearances inside the circle this season, making 22 starts, throwing three shutouts and 15 complete games. A senior from Toms River, N.J., Slomkowski was voted to the PSAC East Second Team for the second straight season. Slomkowski is hitting .301 in 146 at-bats and ranks sixth in the PSAC in home runs (11) and eighth in RBI (42). She has started all 52 games at third base and has totaled 44 hits and 29 runs scored with a .603 slugging percentage. Slomkowski is also tied for the program lead in career hit by pitches with 59 and her 30 HRs are tied for seventh. Stevens, a senior from Jefferson Township, Pa., is now a back-to-back All-PSAC East Second Team selection. She has started 51-of-52 games this season, all but one at second base. Stevens is hitting .302 with 49 hits, 40 runs scored and 38 RBIs with nine doubles, three triples and nine home runs. Her 30 career HRs are tied for seventh all-time in program history and her 143 RBIs are fifth-most. Stevens has also stolen 34 career bases, including nine this season so far. Kutztown finished the regular season 34-18 overall and 23-9 in the conference, earning the No. 1 seed from the East in this week's PSAC Tournament. KU will play the winner of California (Pa.) and West Chester this Wednesday, May 6, at 7 p.m., from Grand Slam Park in Binghampton, N.Y.

The Department of Psychology at Kutztown University hosted its annual Psi Chi Induction and Student Awards Ceremony Thursday, April 30, 2026. The ceremony honored nine department student award winners. The psychology department awarded six seniors and three juniors with departmental awards based on their individual achievements within the fields of Research, Fieldwork, Internships, Leadership, GPA and Service. The year's Psychology Department Student Award recipients are: Lauren Schikel '26 Lauren Schikel is this year's recipient of the prestigious Gill-Lauer Sharp award; for committing herself over the past four years and maintaining high academic standards. The winner will receive a monetary check to be used for funds for graduate school. Lauren is also the Fall semester's Field Experience Award recipient, for excellence in field and internship experience. Lauren is a psychology major and has been accepted into the M.A. program in Allied Behavior Analysis at Ball State University. Two students received the Psi Chi Model Student Award for upholding and exemplifying Psi Chi's twin ideals of scholarship and service. They are: Maggie Beatty '26: Maggie is the Spring recipient of the Psi Chi Model Award. Maggie is also this year's recipient of the Student Leadership award; this award goes to the student who expressed leadership in departmental activities and psychology organizations, as well as leadership in other on- or off campus organizations. A psychology major, Maggie held various positions in Psi-chology Club throughout her years at Kutztown University. She recently completed an internship with Valley Youth House's THRIVE program and is preparing for a future career as a school guidance counselor. Derek Jester '27: Derek Jester is the Fall semester winner of the Psi Chi Model Student Award. Derek is also this Spring's recipient of the Field Experience award; this award goes to the student for excellence in field and internship experience. A psychology major with a minor in case management, he has served as the treasurer of Psichology Club. Derek also served as a faculty research assistant under Dr. Robinson. He is currently in the process of completing an independent study and is interested in pursuing a career as a therapist after graduation. Two Students will receive the Scientist/Practitioner Award for excellence in research and fieldwork. They are: Alex Reed '25: Alex is our Fall recipient of the Scientist/Practitioner Award winner. A psychology major with a minor in sociology, Alex graduated in Winter 2025. He completed several studies alongside Dr. Joanne Cohen in Counselor Education and Dr. Baranczyk in psychology. Adalyn Ober '26: Adalyn is our Spring recipient of the Scientist/Practitioner Award winner. She is also one of three recipients for the Independent Research Award; this award goes to the student who shows excellence in research projects conducted independently from a classroom experience or faculty research project. A psychology major with a minor in studio art, Adalyn is currently conducting research alongside Drs. Alycha Boehm and Heather Evans. She hopes to continue her education in art therapy after graduating from Kutztown. Two Students received the Research Award for excellence in research projects, including research experiences as faculty research assistants. They are: Rebecca Franklin '26: Rebecca is one of our Spring Research Award winners and this year's recipient of the Academic Achievement award; this award goes to the student who has the highest GPAs. A psychology major with minors in mathematics, spanish, and data science, Rebecca is currently working on an independent study under the supervision of Dr. Shelley. Her research will be presented at the Northeast Regional Honors Conference in New Haven, CT. She hopes to present her research at the Association of Psychological Sciences in Barcelona. After her time at Kutztown, she hopes to gain admission to a School Psychology program. Tamara Holmes '26: Tamara is our other Spring Research Award Winner. A double major in psychology and spanish with a minor in multicultural studies, Tamara is currently working on an independent study under the supervision of Dr. Jackson. She plans to present her research at the National Conference of Undergraduate in Richmond, VA. She also hopes to continue her research in graduate school. Tamara is currently the Assistant Resident Director of Dixon Hall. She hopes to one day become a proffer in the field of cognitive neuroscience. Three students received the Independent Research Award for excellence in research projects conducted independently from a classroom experience or faculty research project. They are: Adalyn Ober '26: Adalyn is also our Spring recipient of the Scientist/Practitioner Award winner. Samantha Koneski '27: Samantha is one of our Fall Independent Research Award recipients. A psychology major with a minor in sociology, she completed a clinical internship at Valley Youth House's THRIVE program and recently completed research alongside Dr. Mace titled "Networking, Growing Connection, and Building your Resume." Samantha plans to apply to graduate school for Clinical and Mental Health. Colin Hogan '26: Colin is the recipient of our Spring Independent Research Award. A psychology major with a minor in sociology, he recently completed an independent study under Drs. Baranczyk, McLeod and Vogel. He will be presenting his research at the Psychology Poster Session and Honors WIPS. He was accepted to the Widener Delaware Law School and hopes to work in the public sector as a criminal defense litigator after he passes the bar.

The Department of Psychology at Kutztown University hosted its annual Psi Chi Induction Ceremony Thursday, April 30, 2026. The ceremony honored 19 new members, who were inducted into Psi Chi, The International Honor Society in Psychology. Psi Chi is the International Honor Society for psychology majors, with chapters around the globe. University students majoring or minoring in psychology and with a minimum of 3.0 GPA are eligible to join Psi Chi. Since 1992, the KU Chapter of Psi Chi has held events and biweekly meetings for its members and other psychology students. Anyone is welcome to attend the meetings, where topics typically center around psychological research and graduate school. Psi Chi offers its new and ongoing members support programs for undergraduate, graduate, and faculty. Assistance with research projects and educational opportunities are available with membership. Members also receive valuable career resources and networking opportunities.

Four seniors from No. 15 Kutztown University women's lacrosse earned 2026 All-Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference East honors. Seniors Summer Davis (Beach Haven, N.J./Southern Regional), Katie Yocum (Hanover, Pa./South Western), Rowan Hall (Sloatsburg, N.Y./Suffern), and Marisa Bragg (Ringoes, N.J./Hunterdon Central) all earned postseason recognition, with Davis landing on the first team and Yocum, Hall, and Bragg selected to the second team. Davis is the only repeat all-conference selection among the group, while her three teammates earned their first honors. Davis, a 2023 and 2024 PSAC Second Team selection, made her first appearance on the first team after a dominant senior campaign. A two-time 2026 PSAC East Defensive Athlete of the Week, Davis leads Kutztown in ground balls (54), caused turnovers (53), and draw controls (44). She ranks second in the PSAC and eighth in all of NCAA Division II in caused turnovers per game, while sitting fifth in the conference and 30th nationally in ground balls per game. In the Bears' most recent game, a dominant 19-6 PSAC quarterfinal victory, Davis broke the all-time career caused turnover record with 160 and now sits just one shy of tying the single-season record. She also ranks third all-time at Kutztown with 183 career ground balls. Yocum, a PSAC East Second Team honoree, made history this season by tying the single-game goal record with eight and earning the program's first national player of the week honor from USA Lacrosse Magazine. A two-time 2026 PSAC East Offensive Athlete of the Week, Yocum leads the Golden Bears in goals (62) and points (69) and ranks second all-time for goals in a single season at Kutztown. The senior sits third in the conference and 18th in NCAA Division II in goals per game, and 14th nationally in goals. She reached the 100-goal (111, ninth all-time at KU) and 100-point (119, 16th all-time at KU) milestones this season while also collecting 20 ground balls and ranking third at Kutztown with 29 draw controls. Hall, a second-team selection, capped a breakout season with her first all-conference honor. A 2026 PSAC East Defensive Athlete of the Week, Hall ranks second behind Davis at Kutztown in ground balls (41) and third in caused turnovers (31), while sitting fourth with 27 draw controls. She has amassed 89 career ground balls, 68 caused turnovers, and 29 draw controls, ranking 10th all-time in career caused turnovers at Kutztown. Bragg becomes Kutztown's first postseason honoree for a goaltender since the program was reinstated in 2008. A 2026 PSAC East Defensive Athlete of the Week, Bragg has recorded all 13 wins for the Golden Bears this season: second all-time at Kutztown for wins in a single season. She has made 137 saves this season and 287 for her career, ranking fifth all-time at Kutztown. The senior also contributed 36 ground balls and seven caused turnovers this season, bringing her career totals to 83 ground balls and 12 caused turnovers. The Golden Bears now turn their attention to the PSAC semifinals, where they will travel to Slippery Rock to face No. 4 East Stroudsburg 4 p.m. Friday, May 1.

Erin Gonzalez of the Kutztown University field hockey team and Ryan Schernecke of Golden Bear football were voted Kutztown University athletics Senior Athletes of the Year for 2025-26. The awards were voted upon by the athletic department's coaches, administration and support staff, and presented to the recipients at the All-Sports Celebration this past Monday night, April 27. A native of East Earl, Gonzalez's career accolades include the 2025 PSAC Athlete of the Year, a two-time NFHCA All-American (2025 First Team, 2024 Second Team), 2025 All-Atlantic Region First Team, a three-time All-PSAC selection (2025 First Team, 2024 Second Team, 2023 Third Team) and ranks seventh all-time at KU with 47 career goals. A native of Hatboro, Schernecke's highlights include a Walter Camp DII All-American, AP Second Team All-American, AFCA Second Team All-American, D2CCA Second Team All-American, Gene Upshaw DII Lineman of the Year finalist, a two-time D2CCA Super Region I (2025 First Team, 2024 Second Team) selection and a three-time All-PSAC East selection (2024/2025 First Team, 2023 Second Team).

Bailey Gimbor of Kutztown University wrestling and Sophia Knerr of the KU women's cross country and track and field teams were voted Kutztown University athletics Senior Scholar-Athletes of the Year for 2025-26. The awards were voted upon by the athletic department's coaches, administration and support staff, and presented to the recipients at the All-Sports Celebration this past Monday night, April 27. Gimbor, a native of Bernville, is a two-time All-American, three-time national qualifier and an All-PSAC First Teamer (2023-24) on the mat. In the classroom, he was a 2024-25 ADA Academic Achievement award winner, a 2023-24 NWCA Scholar All-American, a multi-year PSAC Scholar-Athlete and member of the Dean's List, as well as a member of the PSAC All-Academic Team. Knerr, a native of Columbia, N.J., is a three-time All-PSAC Second Teamer (2022, 2024, 2025) in cross country, a two-time All-PSAC performer in the Outdoor 3000m Steeplechase (2024, 2025) and an All-PSAC selection in the Outdoor 5000m (2025). In the classroom, she was the PSAC Champion Scholar at this season's PSAC Cross Country Championships.

Senior base/tumbler Sydney Jundt represented Kutztown University acrobatics and tumbling on the All-Mountain East Conference Second Team. The all-conference teams and major award winners were recently announced by the MEC office. Jundt picks up her second career all-conference nod after being selected All-MEC First Team in 2025. The Rochester Hills, Mich., native was a constant on the mat for the Golden Bears, competing in one or more heats in every event. She contributed to numerous season-high heat scores for Kutztown throughout the season. Jundt helped Kutztown qualify for the MEC semifinals in each of her two seasons with the program after transferring from Trine University. She was part of the Bears' victorious acro 6-element squad at the 2025 MEC Event Finals. Jundt is the first two-time all-conference selection for the Maroon and Gold. Kutztown joined the MEC as an associate member prior to the 2025 season after competing independently during its first three seasons (2022-24) of existence.

The Kutztown University athletics department recognized 48 student-athletes Tuesday, April 14, as a part of a new class of the Pennsylvania Alpha Omega Chapter of Chi Alpha Sigma in the National College Athlete Honor Society. The luncheon recognized those student-athletes who excel in both the classroom and competition. Chi Alpha Sigma was founded in 1996 by then DePauw University head football coach Nick Mourouzis. His goal was to provide outstanding student-athletes with an opportunity to become connected within a fraternal association that aligns their educational and athletic successes for a lifetime. In order to be inducted into Chi Alpha Sigma, a student-athlete must attend a four-year accredited college or university that is a member of the NCAA, NAIA, USCAA or NCCAA. The honoree also must achieve at least junior academic standing by the fifth semester or seventh quarter, as determined by the certifying institution, and must have achieved a minimum cumulative grade-point average of a 3.4 (on a 4.0 scale).

Kutztown University presented the 2026 Chambliss Student Academic Achievement Awards to eight accomplished students Friday, April 24. Students who received awards were nominated by staff and faculty members for meeting one or more of the seven areas of achievement: successfully completed research projects, outstanding academic achievement, high-quality original artwork, high-quality artistic performances (music, chorus, drama, etc.), original writing in literature or meritorious writing in other fields, noteworthy achievements in athletics, and outstanding service to the KU community. The Academic Achievement Awards were established in 2004 through a donation provided by Dr. Carlson Chambliss, KU professor of astronomy from 1970-2003. The purpose of the awards is to recognize the exceptional individual achievements of a select group of KU graduating seniors. Specially designed coin medallions of gold, silver and copper were presented to the students. Freddie Retter - Gold Freddie Retter is from Quakertown, Pa. and is graduating in May with a degree in elementary education. He is awarded the Chambliss Academic Gold Medal for noteworthy achievements in athletics. Retter has been a dominant force on defense for a Kutztown University football team that has won three consecutive Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference championships and advanced to the NCAA Division II national semifinals in two of the last three seasons. In addition to numerous accolades on the gridiron, Retter is a two-time All-America wrestler and is one of KU's top academic student-athletes. Retter, a defensive lineman, is a two-time All-PSAC East First Team and All-Super Region 1 selection. He was voted 2024 PSAC East Defensive Athlete of the Year and D2CCA Super Region 1 Defensive Player of the Year. This past fall, he earned D2CCA All-America Second Team honors as the Golden Bears won a school record 14 games. In 39 career games, Retter totaled 114 tackles, 21 sacks and 29.5 tackles for loss. Following the 2024 football season, Retter joined the KU wrestling program for the 2025 spring semester. He went on qualify for the NCAA DII Championships at heavyweight, where he earned a fifth-place finish to capture All-America honors. This past season, Retter finished runner-up at the Super Region 1 Championships and captured his second straight All-America honor with another fifth-place effort at nationals. Retter was the 2024 PSAC Champion Scholar for football, an award presented to the student-athlete with the highest cumulative GPA at each of the conference's championship events. He's also a two-time College Sports Communicators Academic All-America First Team selection, three-time PSAC Scholar-Athlete, 2025 Academic All-PSAC honoree and two-time D2 ADA Academic Achievement award recipient. Peter Cadiz - Silver Peter Cadiz is from Reading, Pa. and is graduating in May with degrees in mathematics and data science. He is awarded the Chambliss Academic Silver Medal for successfully completed research project. Since 2024, Cadiz has collaborated with faculty to design and analyze complex experiments. His research resulted in two peer-reviewed publications in mathematics, including a highly selective international journal. Over a two-year period, Cadiz maintained weekly research meetings, continuing his work through summer and winter breaks. During the project, he implemented complex algorithms, performed statistical evaluations and developed hybrid heuristic-exact solution methods. Faculty mentors noted his work exceeded typical undergraduate expectations, demonstrating advanced dedication while managing a dual-degree course load. Cadiz plans to pursue graduate studies in operations research and applied mathematics. His future work will focus on developing innovative optimization solutions for both academic and industrial applications. Gabriella DeMarco - Silver Gabriella DeMarco is from Leesport, Pa. and is graduating in May with a degree in marine science with a concentration in oceanography and a minor in geology. She is awarded the Chambliss Academic Silver Medal for successfully completed research project. DeMarco has dedicated nearly four years to investigating 300,000 years of environmental history through her extensive research in coastal marine geology. She began her study of the Savage Neck Dunes Natural Area Preserve in Virginia in July 2022. Her research focuses on using sediment cores and ground-penetrating radar (GPR) to track paleoenvironmental changes on the Southern Delmarva Peninsula. Through her analysis, she identified three distinct periods of ancient forestation, or paleosols, preserved between layers of marine and estuarine sediments. DeMarco has presented her findings at seven professional conferences, including meetings of the American Geophysical Union and the Geological Society of America. She has contributed to six published abstracts and successfully authored four Kutztown University Research Fund grant proposals to support her conference travel. In March, she delivered an oral presentation at the Symposium on the Application of Geophysics to Engineering and Environmental Problems in Pittsburgh, Pa. In addition to her research, DeMarco serves as a peer mentor, training new students in sediment coring, grain-size analysis and data interpretation. She is the vice president of the university's Feminist Majority Leadership Alliance chapter, a member of the women's rugby team and a student worker at the Women's Center. She also frequently volunteers for campus STEM outreach events, including Science Olympiad, Girls in STEM Symposium and the STEM Open House. Ava Esterly - Silver Ava Esterly is from Pottstown, Pa. and is graduating in May with a degree in environmental science with a concentration in Regenerative Organic Agriculture and a certificate in Geographic Information Systems (GIS). She is awarded the Chambliss Academic Silver Medal for successfully completed research project. As an intern at both Farmer Jawn and the Rodale Institute, Esterly has helped design scalable techniques for 100-acre production systems and developed comprehensive economic reports comparing conventional and organic crop yields. Esterly's extensive research portfolio focuses on the mechanical and ecological drivers of soil health. She has spearheaded studies on the synergistic effects of biochar and compost on crop productivity, the isolation of mycorrhizal fungal spores, and the impacts of transitioning conventional farming systems to regenerative management. Her findings have been presented at the Ecological Society of America (ESA) national and mid-Atlantic conferences, as well as to the research department and executive leadership at the Rodale Institute. Her professional background bridges the gap between scientific inquiry and community engagement. Esterly was selected as the student speaker to announce a $1.5 million grant for Kutztown University's Regenerative Organic Agriculture program in 2024, and was a mentor and student team leader as an underclassman for the Regenerative Agriculture Living Laboratory. Her contributions have earned her several prestigious honors, including the Farm Credit Foundation for Agricultural Advancement Scholarship. Erin Gonzalez - Silver Erin Gonzalez is from East Earl, Pa. and is graduating in May with a degree in business administration. She is awarded the Chambliss Academic Silver Medal for noteworthy achievements in athletics. Gonzalez enjoyed a standout career as a member of the Kutztown University field hockey team, leading the Golden Bears to the NCAA Division II Final Four each of the last three seasons, including a national championship in 2023 and national runner-up finish in 2024. Gonzalez was a three-time All-PSAC selection and two-time National Field Hockey Coaches Association (NFHCA) All-American. In her final season with the Maroon and Gold this past fall, Gonzalez was voted PSAC Athlete of the Year, All-PSAC First Team, NFHCA All-Atlantic Region First Team and NFHCA All-America First Team. In 84 career games, Gonzalez had 47 goals, 18 assists, 112 points and 15 game-winning goals. She set new career-highs in all offensive categories in 2025, finishing with 17 goals, eight assists, five game-winning goals and 42 points in 22 games. Gonzalez ranks tied for seventh in program history in career goals scored. Brandon Hile - Copper Brandon Hile is from Winfield, Pa. and is graduating in May with a degree in criminal justice. He is awarded the Chambliss Academic Copper Medal for noteworthy achievements in athletics. Hile is a four-year letterwinner and three-year starter for the Golden Bear football team. He helped Kutztown to three consecutive Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference championships, two NCAA Division II Super Region 1 titles and a pair of national semifinals appearances. Hile is part of the winningest senior class in program history, as the Golden Bears totaled a 45-8 record between 2022-25, including a single season record 14 victories this past fall. In 47 career games, the linebacker amassed 196 tackles, 16.5 tackles for loss and 7.5 sacks. During KU's record-setting 2025 season, Hile was voted PSAC East Defensive Athlete of the Year and received All-America honors from multiple organizations. He was an All-PSAC East and D2CCA All-Super Region 1 First Team choice before going on to be named AFCA All-America Second Team, D2CCA All-America Second Team, Associated Press All-America Second Team, Walter Camp Foundation All-America and Don Hansen Gazette Honorable Mention All-America and D2Football.com Elite 100. In addition to his on-field recognition, Hile received College Sports Communicators Academic All-America First Team and Academic All-PSAC honors this past fall. Deanna Leperi - Copper Deanna Leperi is from Easton, Pa. and graduated in December with a degree in general studies. She is awarded the Chambliss Academic Copper Medal for successfully completed research project. Leperi served as a lead undergraduate researcher since January 2025, contributing to laboratory operations and peer mentorship. Her technical work was featured at the joint international American Society for Cell Biology and European Molecular Biology Organization meeting in December. She is currently co-authoring a research paper for publication. Throughout her tenure, Leperi has worked exclusively as a volunteer, opting out of academic credit or stipends. In addition to her own research, she manages laboratory logistics and provides technical assistance to fellow student researchers. Mark-handy Phanor - Copper Mark-handy Phanor is from Philadelphia, Pa. and is graduating in May with a degree in political science and a certificate in paralegal studies. He is awarded the Chambliss Academic Copper Medal for outstanding service to the Kutztown University community. Phanor has been recognized for his leadership and commitment to student advocacy, highlighted by his service as a student representative on the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education (PASSHE) Board of Governors, where he represents and advocates for more than 85,000 students at the state level. His work has included engaging with lawmakers and contributing to conversations on higher education affordability and access. In addition to his board service, Phanor has gained policy research experience through internships with 50 State and Benefits Data Trust, where he conducted multi-state legislative analysis and research on public benefits programs. On campus, he serves as a Presidential Ambassador and Honors Peer Mentor, supporting students academically and professionally, and has also contributed to university governance through his role on the Student Conduct Board. He previously served as a Junior Council Member for the Borough of West Reading, gaining experience in local government. His commitment to service and leadership earned him an APSCUF scholarship. Phanor's academic work is centered on his honors capstone project, which examines the implications of facial recognition technologies on privacy law and the Fourth Amendment to the Constitution. He has been developing this research since 2024 and received a grant from the Northeast Regional Honors Council to present his findings at its April 2026 conference.

Kutztown University women's swimming saw a quartet earn spots on the 2026 Division II College Sports Communicators Academic All-District team. The 2025-26 Academic All-District Men's and Women's Swimming & Diving Teams, selected by College Sports Communicators, recognize the nation's top student-athletes for their combined performances in the pool and in the classroom. The CSC Academic All-America program separately recognizes honorees in four divisions - NCAA Division I, NCAA Division II, NCAA Division III and NAIA. The four Golden Bears include Phoebe Armes (Somerset, UK/Millfield School), Jena LaTorres (Allentown, Pa./William Allen), Tatum Rothermel (Halifax, Pa./Halifax) and Camryn Sedora (Chester, Md./Kent Island). Armes is a sophomore geography major with a 3.91 GPA. LaTorres is a senior majoring in criminal justice and has a 3.56 GPA. Rothermel is a senior sport management major sporting a 3.85 GPA. Sedora is a junior psychology major with a 3.83 GPA. The Academic All-District Team is coordinated by the College Sports Communicators (CSC). For more information about the CSC's Academic All-District and Academic All-America Team program, visit AcademicAllAmerica.com.

Kutztown University men's swimming received four members to the 2026 Division II College Sports Communicators Academic All-District team. The 2025-26 Academic All-District Men's and Women's Swimming & Diving Teams, selected by College Sports Communicators, recognize the nation's top student-athletes for their combined performances in the pool and in the classroom. The CSC Academic All-America program separately recognizes honorees in four divisions - NCAA Division I, NCAA Division II, NCAA Division III and NAIA. The four Golden Bears include Matheson Bair (Orwigsburg, Pa./Blue Mountain), Theo Miksa (Doylestown, Pa./Central Bucks East), RJ Otten (Ballston Spa, N.Y./Ballston Spa) and Nigel Pizzo (Newtown, Pa./Council Rock North). Bair is a sophomore geography major with a 3.59 GPA. Miksa is a sophomore majoring in business administration with a focus in finance/supple chain management and has a 3.96 GPA. Otten is a sophomore marine science major sporting a 3.70 GPA. Pizzo is a sophomore majoring in business administration with a focus in finance and has a perfect 4.0 GPA. The Academic All-District Team is coordinated by the College Sports Communicators (CSC). For more information about the CSC's Academic All-District and Academic All-America Team program, visit AcademicAllAmerica.com.

After the National Tenpin Coaches Association announced its All-Rookie Teams earlier Thursday, April 9, freshman phenom Madilyn Bogovic was recognized by the organization as the Division II Rookie of the Year and a Second Team All-American. Bogovic won the honors after leading all DII competition in baker double percentage (57.0 percent), strike percentage (54.6 percent), traditional frame average (21.1 pins) and baker frame average (21.25 pins). The DII honor is the top rookie recognition for a first-year bowler at the Division II level, while the All-American honor includes all of the nation's bowlers, regardless of division. Bogovic's individual accomplishments in her first collegiate season were only rivaled by the top bowlers on the nation's highest-ranked teams. The Player Composite Performance Index, a scale developed by the NTCA that combines both traditional and baker numbers while measuring fill, strike, and overall conversion rate, placed Bogovic 12th among all bowlers and tops among Division II or III counterparts. Her performance throughout the season kept the Golden Bears in the national rankings throughout the season and lifted the team to a 57-31 season and a third-place finish at the East Coast Conference Championships in late March. The Cedar Cliff High School Product becomes the seventh Kutztown kegler to achieve All-America status, which has now been reached for the 10th time overall and in back-to-back seasons for the third time in program history, following Chloe Sromovski's honorable mention recognition in 2025. Bogovic also becomes the third Kutztown bowler to earn Division II Rookie of the Year honors, after two other Golden Bear bowlers, Kayla Stamm (2008) and Kayla Jones (2009) collected the honor in back-to-back seasons nearly two decades ago. Bogovic is set to return to the Golden Bears squad next season with a core of young bowlers, including Kamryn Brenneman, a Second Team All-ECC selection this past season, and fellow ECC All-Rookie Team member Isabella Hopper. She will look to build on her efforts in the 2026-27 campaign as she sets her eyes on the possibility of becoming the Golden Bears' ninth All-American and picking up the honors for just the second time since 2014.

PSAC champion and national semifinalist Kutztown University football had seven members announced to the Hampshire Honor Society by the National Football Foundation and College Hall of Fame in recognition of their academic achievements. In order to be named to the Hampshire Honor Society, a student-athlete must have completed their final year of eligibility in the fall or must have already earned an undergraduate degree, must own a cumulative undergraduate grade point average of 3.20 or above and must have been a starter or significant contributor during the 2025 season. The seven Golden Bears include wide receiver Trevor Amorim (Slatington, Pa./Northern Lehigh), tight end Gino Campagna (San Diego, Calif./Saint Augustine), offensive lineman Patrick Fulginiti (Manahawkin, N.J./Southern Regional), linebacker Brandon Hile (Winfield, Pa./Selinsgrove), running back Ben Martin III (Middletown, Del./Middletown), specialist Nate Millard (Birdsboro, Pa./Daniel Boone) and defensive lineman Brayden Pohlman (Egg Harbor Township, N.J./Mainland Regional). Fulginiti and Hile also earned CSC Academic All-District honors back in January with a 3.68 GPA and 3.58 GPA, respectively. Hile, the PSAC East Defensive Athlete of the Year, also became a CSC Academic All-American. The Hampshire Honor Society recognized a record total of 2,596 players from 365 colleges and universities at all levels of college football on the 2026 team. Kutztown finished the 2025 season 14-1 overall, a program-record for wins in a season, winning its third consecutive PSAC title and second Super Region I championship in the last three seasons.

Kutztown University placed nine student-athletes on the winter edition of the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Academic All-Conference teams. The Academic All-PSAC teams are a new initiative for the 2025-26 season and were created to increase academic recognition for high-achieving student-athletes. Honorees are announced after the fall, winter and spring seasons. Undergraduate and graduate student-athletes are eligible for recognition, given they meet both academic and athletic standards set by the conference. Academically, a student-athlete must have a 3.50 cumulative grade point average (GPA) and complete two seasons of eligibility at the nominating campus and four semesters academically. Student-athletes achieving the academic criteria must have also played in at least 70 percent of their team's games to qualify in team sports (men's and women's basketball). Wrestlers must have been in the starting lineups for 70 percent of the team's scoring events, while swimmers must have achieved at least a PSAC qualifying standard time in an individual, non-relay event. The PSAC recognized 121 student-athletes across all 17 conference institutions. Kutztown's nine honorees place it in the top half of the conference and tied for third best among PSAC East institutions. Fellow East Division schools East Stroudsburg (13) and Shippensburg (12) only trail Clarion (14) from the PSAC West among the most recognized student athletes. Kutztown had four representatives from wrestling, three from women's basketball, and a pair from the women's swimming team. A full list of Kutztown's Academic All-PSAC honorees from the 2025-26 winter season is below. WOMEN'S BASKETBALL (3) Taylor Gurysh Leila Hurley Olivia Smelas WRESTLING (4) Bailey Gimbor Dalton Gimbor Hunter Horton Wayne McIntyre WOMEN'S SWIMMING (2) Tatum Rothermel Camryn Sedora

The Department of Sport Management announced its senior award winners who will be recognized at the College of Business Commencement Banquet Friday, May 8. - Outstanding Academic Achievement Award: Marisa Bragg of Ringoes, N.J. - Outstanding Achievement in Sport Management Award: Andrew Batista of Macungie, Pa. - Outstanding Coaching/Fitness Award: Sydney Gibbons of Cresson, Pa. - Outstanding Research Award: Andrew Batista of Macungie, Pa. - Outstanding Service Award: Bryan Pensyl of Easton, Pa. - Outstanding Leadership Award: Rowan Hall of Sloatsburg, N.Y. - Outstanding Intern Award: Haley Sullick of Mountain Top, Pa. - Outstanding Sport Management Club Service Award: Braden Neeson of Scranton, Pa. COSMA Chi Sigma Mu Honors Society: - Ben Angstadt of Biglerville, Pa. - Andrew Batista of Macungie, Pa. - Sydney Gibbons of Cresson, Pa. - Rowan Hall of Sloatsburg, N.Y. - Jordyn Osner of Broomall, Pa. - Judd Novak of Manheim, Pa. - Tatum Rothermel of Halifax, Pa. - Kevin Schwartz of Doylestown, Pa. - Nicholas Varda of Doylestown, Pa. - Maddie Walsh of York, Pa.

Andrew Szeplaki had a breakout first season for the Kutztown University track and field team during the winter and finished it off on a high note, being voted the 2025-26 Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference Men's Indoor Track and Field Freshman of the Year. Szeplaki recently finished ninth in the pole vault at the NCAA Championship earning Second Team All-America honors. He was also the PSAC champion in this event and broke the all-time PSAC indoor pole vault record with a jump of 17-4.5. Szeplaki earned All-Region honors and had the highest jump in Division II for a freshman. He joins 1987 National Champion Mike Cantrel, Schmitt (2000, 2001), Will Hodges (2010), Lanny Buck (2015), Xavier Feliciano (2019) and Joe Jardine (2024) as the Golden Bears to earn indoor pole vault All-America status. Along with Szeplaki also earning All-PSAC First Team status, Michael Fellin joined him on First Team in the 60m. James Washburn (400m), Adam Brocato (mile), Robby Lloyd (5000m) and Jaydon Witman (60H) all earned Third Team recognition.

Josh McKoy of the Kutztown University men's basketball team has been named to the 2025-26 College Sports Communicators Academic All-District Team. McKoy, a sophomore criminal justice major from Reading, Pa., made 17 starts and appeared in all 26 games for the Golden Bears this past season. He averaged career-highs of 5.9 points, 4.3 rebounds and 1.1 assists per game. Academically, McKoy carried a 3.69 cumulative grade point average at the time of his nomination. The CSC Academic All-District Teams recognize the nation's top student-athletes for their combined performances on the court and in the classroom. The CSC Academic All-America program separately recognizes honorees in four divisions - NCAA Division I, NCAA Division II, NCAA Division III and NAIA. To be eligible for Academic All-District honors, student-athletes must have a 3.50 cumulative GPA or higher and be at least a sophomore academically and athletically. In the sport of basketball, student-athletes must have played in 90% or started 66% of their team's games.

Leila Hurley, Olivia Smelas, Taylor Gurysh and Ariana Smuda of the Kutztown University women's basketball team were selected to the 2025-26 College Sport Communicators (CSC) Academic All-District team for their successes on the court and in the classroom. It is the second honor for Hurley and first for Smelas, Gurysh and Smuda. The 2025-26 Academic All-District Women's Basketball Teams, selected by College Sports Communicators, recognize the nation's top student-athletes for their combined performances on the court and in the classroom. The CSC Academic All-America program separately recognizes honorees in four divisions - NCAA Division I, NCAA Division II, NCAA Division III, and NAIA. The Division II and III CSC Academic All-America programs are partially financially supported by the NCAA Division II and III national governance structures to assist CSC with handling the awards fulfillment aspects for the 2025-26 Divisions II and III Academic All-America programs. The NAIA CSC Academic All-America program is partially financially supported through the NAIA governance structure. Hurley is a senior guard majoring in elementary education with a 3.88 GPA. Smelas is a senior center majoring in business administration with a concentration in accounting/management. Gurysh is a junior guard and sport management major, sporting a 3.72 GPA. Smuda is a junior center majoring in communication studies with a 3.93 GPA.

The 25th-ranked Kutztown University women's bowling team placed four student-athletes on the All-East Coast Conference Teams, headlined by ECC Rookie of the Year and All-ECC First Team bowler Madilyn Bogovic (Mechanicsburg, Pa./Cedar Cliff). Joining Bogovic on the All-ECC squads is sophomore Kamryn Brenneman (York, Pa./Central York), who was named an All-ECC Second Team bowler, and the duo of Isabella Hopper (Mifflinville, Pa./Berwick) and Sydney Snyder (Morrisville, Pa./Conwell-Egan Catholic), who each claimed a spot on the Third Team. Bogovic, who jumped on the KU bowling train after a Rookie of the Year season for the Golden Bears' volleyball team, came out firing on all cylinders as the team's anchor for the second half of the season. The Mechanicsburg, Pa., native's stat sheet can be rivaled with the nation's top NCAA bowlers. In traditional play, the rookie averaged 21.11 pins per frame, filling 87.5 percent of frames while striking on 55 percent of opportunities and converting on 72.2 percent of spares. She elevated her game in baker play, toppling 21.25 pins per frame on an 87.6 percent fill clip, striking on 54.4 percent of opportunities while converting 72.7 percent of spares. The recognition the Cedar Cliff High School product earned rewrote record books. She earned all five possible rookie of the week honors, as well as a bowler of the week recognition for her performance at the Griffin Baker Classic. Her stretch of five straight ECC top rookie bowler honors was a conference record, and her five total recognitions put her one behind teammate Kamryn Brenneman's (York, Pa./Central York) six such total honors earned in her 2025 Rookie of the Year campaign a season ago. Notably, Bogovic's recognition as the Rookie of the Year in both volleyball and bowling is the only known occurrence of a Division II dual sport athlete earning top conference rookie honors in the same season. Brenneman built a power tandem with Bogovic on her way to a Second Team recognition, continuing to add onto her resume after her Rookie of the Year and All-ECC First Team performance from a season ago. Her strong season was highlighted by a baker average of 19.39 pins per frame on an 81.9 percent fill mark, where she struck on 47 percent of attempts and converted nearly 66 percent of second-chance shots while bowling from the fourth and fifth spots in the lineup throughout the year. In team competition, she bowled just shy of a 19-pin average per frame on a 79.2 fill rate, striking 44 percent of the time while converting spares at a 62.9 percent clip. Hopper had a stellar rookie season in the Maroon and Gold, as her Third Team honor is highlighted by baker statistics that place her among the top rookies in the conference. She achieved an 18.93 average per frame on a 78.3 percent fill rate, while boasting a near-70 percent success rate on first-ball shots and topping nearly half of her strike attempts. She was also a key contributor in traditional play throughout the season, filling 70.5 percent of frames while averaging 17.43 pins, including an 8.71 first ball mark on the season. Snyder joined her rookie teammate on the Third Team, making her first appearance on an All-Conference team in her fourth season at KU. The Morrisville, Pa., native had strong numbers in baker play, including an 18.39 average that filled 79 percent of frames, where she also converted nearly two-thirds of her spare shots. Her team play numbers also ranked among the best on the team, as she averaged 17.13 pins per frame while filling 73 percent of frames and securing a 61.6 percent first-ball success rate. The four honorees from the 2025-26 team match the same number from last season, while only Brenneman is a repeat award winner. The number continues to show the recruiting success of sixth year head coach Angela Reynolds, who has coached eight bowlers to a combined 12 All-Conference honors. The Golden Bears (56-29 overall), who held its spot in the March edition of the National Tenpin Coaches Association polls on Monday, gear up for the East Coast Conference Women's Bowling Championship this upcoming weekend, at Hackensack, N.J.'s Bowler City Lanes, with competition between conference foes beginning Friday, March 20, and running through Sunday, March 22.

Senior Freddie Retter (Quakertown, Pa./Quakertown), the nation's fifth-ranked 285-pound wrestler and the lone remaining competing member of the 21st-ranked Kutztown University wrestling team at the NCAA DII National Championships, concluded his season with a fifth-place performance Saturday, March 14, at the Danny Sanford PREMIER Center in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. The Quakertown, Pa., native dominated his consolation quarterfinal opponent to open the day, collecting an 11-2, major decision victory to secure at least a sixth-place finish. Retter ran into third-ranked Zach Glazler of St. Cloud State in the consolation semis, and despite dropping a 4-0 decision, was able to recover and finish against No. 16 James Bankston of UNC Pembroke with an 8-1 victory in his final competition of the season. This marks Retter's second wrestling All-American honor of his career, as he finished fifth place a season ago after reaching the semifinal round of the championship bracket in the 2025 edition of the tournament. The team finished 20th overall on the national stage, the fourth time in five seasons since the pandemic-cancelled 2020-21 season that KU has finished inside the top 20. Nebraska-Kearney (83 pts.) repeated as national champions, while Wisconsin Parkside (78 pts.) and Central Oklahoma (76.5 pts.) followed closely behind. Conference foe Gannon, who entered the tournament as the nation's top team, finished ninth (45.5 pts.), while national power Pitt-Johnstown placed 13th with 37 pts. Saturday's competition marked the end of the road for 25-year head coach Robert Fisher, Kutztown wrestling's all-time winningest coach. He has directed all but a handful of Kutztown's All-American grapplers and has coached three grapplers to five individual championships. His teams never slowed down at the end of his career, as each of the past two seasons has featured a program-record six individuals representing the Golden Bears on the national stage. Coach Fisher ends his career with a 258-116-2 dual record, winning a program-best 68.6 percent of his duals during his time leading the Maroon and Gold. With Fisher's departure and a number of upperclassmen moving on at season's end, the Golden Bears hope to rely on strong returning student-athletes, a robust recruiting class and a solid head coach to continue the success it has experienced under its legendary coach.

Senior center Olivia Smelas (Jim Thorpe, Pa./Jim Thorpe) was voted to the All-PSAC East First Team, while classmate and senior guard Danae Ellzy (Coatesville, Pa./Coatesville) earned All-PSAC East Second Team honors. It is the second All-PSAC recognition for Smelas, who was tabbed to the Second Team her sophomore campaign, and it's the first postseason accolade for Ellzy. Smelas started all 29 games this season. She averaged 6.5 points per game and a team-best 9.4 rebounds per game, while adding 31 blocks and career-highs of 77 assists and 78 steals. Her 78 steals ranked second in the conference and she was ninth in blocks. Smelas finished her career with 823 career rebounds, which is fourth-best all-time in program history. Her 183 steals ranks seventh in program lore and her 114 blocks is also in the top-10 at 10th. In her first season in Maroon and Gold after three previous seasons at Mansfield, Ellzy played in 28-of-29 games this season, starting in seven, and was a welcomed addition to the team. She led the team in scoring with 9.9 ppg, shooting 37% (94-for-254) from the floor and averaged 3.1 rpg. Ellzy added 39 assists and 32 steals on the year.

Michael Fellin (Sheppton, Pa./Marian Catholic) placed 11th overall in the 60m and Andrew Szeplaki (Bath, Pa./Northampton) finished ninth in the pole vault as both Golden Bears earned Second Team All-America status Friday, March 13, at the NCAA Division II Indoor Track and Field Championships at the Virginia Beach Sports Center. Fellin receives second team honors for the second straight year, placing 12th overall also with a 6.72 at last year's NCAA Championships. He finished third in the second of three heats out of 18 total competitors. Fellin is the lone Golden Bear in program history to be an All-American in the 60m, now back-to-back. It is the first NCAA postseason honor for Szeplaki, who joins 1987 National Champion Mike Cantrel, Schmitt (2000, 2001), Will Hodges (2010), Lanny Buck (2015), Xavier Feliciano (2019) and Joe Jardine (2024) as the Golden Bears to earn indoor pole vault All-American status. Jardine previously held the program record of 5.14m (16-10.25) before Szeplaki outdid it this season with his 5.30m (17-4.5). The freshman cleared 4.86m (15-11.25) and 5.01m (16-5.25) in his first attempt and then cleared the 5.16m (16-11) on his third try. Vlad Malykin of Harding won his third consecutive national title in the pole vault. The 60m final eight will compete for the title on Saturday. The outdoor season kicks off for Kutztown next Saturday, March 21, at the Keystone Challenge, hosted by Shippensburg University.

Four Kutztown University indoor track and field student-athletes earned 2025-26 NCAA Division II U.S. Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) All-Atlantic Region honors. On the men's side, Michael Fellin (Sheppton, Pa./Marian Catholic) (60m) and Andrew Szeplaki (Bath, Pa./Northampton) (pole vault) received the recognition, and on the women's side, Taylor Funk (Denver, Pa./Cocalico) (pole vault) and Jensen Kraft (Nutley, N.J./Saint Mary) (mile) were honored. Fellin and Szeplaki were PSAC champions in their respective events, while Funk and Kraft both finished All-PSAC with third place finishes in there's at the PSAC Indoor Championships on Feb. 28, and March 1. The top-5 individuals in each event from each region earned All-Region distinction, in addition to each member of the region's top-3 relay teams. The regions used for this award - Atlantic, Central, East, Midwest, South, South Central, Southeast and West - match those used during the cross country season. Fellin and Szeplaki both will be competing in the 2025-26 NCAA Division II Indoor Track and Field Championships at the Virginia Beach Sports Center in Virginia Beach this weekend.

After the 2025-26 regular season campaign concluded, the coaches of the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference named fifth-year guard Jalen Bryant (Edgewood, Md./John Carroll) and senior forward Jordan Nkoa Abessolo (Yaounde, Cameroon/St. Maria Goretti (Md.)) of the Kutztown University men's basketball team to the All-PSAC East Second Team. Both student-athletes put up strong numbers as a tandem on the year, creating big-time performances that earned them spots in the program's all-time record books at season's end. Nkoa Abessolo put in the work this past offseason, something that paid dividends on the court in many big games throughout the season. He nearly recorded a double-double average on the season, posting 14.4 points per game and 9.8 rebounds per game, the latter mark ranking third in the conference. The Cameroon native reached double figures in points and rebounds in half of Kutztown's victories, including a season high 20 points in the win over Cheyney and a pair of 15-rebound games in wins over Cheyney and Frostburg State. The second year Golden Bear broke through on the All-Conference list after boosting his scoring and rebounding numbers from a season ago. His presence under the basket remained one of the constants for the Maroon and Gold men's squad in the midst of significant change throughout the season. Bryant made his third appearance on the Second Team after earning the honor for his performance in the 2022-23 and 2024-25 seasons. His innate ability to draw fouls and execute from the charity stripe in clutch situations has been noted by coaches across the league, as his name is referenced across Kutztown's free-throw shooting record books. The guard averaged a team-best 16.2 points per game (13th in the PSAC) and turned in a career-best 88 percent free-throw mark on the year while playing just over 34 minutes a game. The Edgewood, Md., native finishes his career fourth all-time in career points with 1,759, second all-time in made free throws (536), third all-time in free throw percentage (87.3 percent), and sixth all-time in total three-point field goals (183). The guard also holds places across the game and season record books for his scoring and free-throw shooting achievements during his tenure with the team. With the futures of both players in the air after Bryant completed his fifth season and Nkoa Abessolo finished off his fourth campaign, the 2025-26 edition of the Golden Bears will have some big shoes to fill as it looks to bounce back from a challenging season and look ahead towards returning to the postseason for the first time since 2019.

Kutztown University will have 30 student-athletes representing its baseball program for the 2026 season. The 2026 campaign opens with a non-conference doubleheader against Slippery Rock at the USA Baseball National Training Complex in Cary, N.C., Friday, Feb. 21. The Golden Bears return home to face Lincoln (Pa.) in a doubleheader Wednesday, March 4, North Campus Field. The season concludes with the PSAC Championship at Jack Critchfield Park in Slippery Rock, Pa., May 6-9. Learn more at www.kubears.com.

Kutztown University will have 31 student-athletes representing its women's lacrosse program for the 2026 season. Read the full season preview. Under head coach Kristen Nicholson, the Kutztown University women's lacrosse program has undergone a complete transformation. In just four seasons, the Golden Bears have produced the most winning seasons in program history, reached the PSAC Championship game for the first time in 40 years, earned back-to-back NCAA Division II Tournament appearances, and cracked the IWLCA national rankings for the first time ever. Now entering her fifth year at the helm, Nicholson and the No. 20 Golden Bears are intent on continuing that upward climb in 2026. "This is a determined, focused and hungry team heading into the 2026 season," Nicholson said. "We're building on past success with a strong core of returning players and some new faces ready to help us take the next step. We're excited to get back out there and compete." Kutztown finished the 2025 season ranked No. 23 nationally with a 9-8 overall record, including a 6-6 mark in PSAC play. Two of the Golden Bears' nine victories came against nationally ranked opponents, while seven were earned at Keystone Field. KU's strength of schedule was evident throughout the season, as six of its eight losses came against ranked competition. That challenge continues in 2026. The Golden Bears are slated to face five nationally ranked opponents this spring, including West Chester (No. 5), Pace (No. 7), East Stroudsburg (No. 13), Saint Anselm (No. 22) and Bentley (No. 23). Kutztown will also open the season against IUP, which received votes in the 2026 IWLCA Preseason Poll. Kutztown was picked third in the PSAC East Preseason Poll and No. 20 nationally in the IWLCA Poll. The Golden Bears open the 2026 regular season at home Saturday, Feb. 21, hosting PSAC West opponent IUP at Keystone Field. The opening draw is set for 2 p.m.

Kutztown University will have 22 student-athletes representing its women's acrobatics and tumbling program for the 2026 season. Learn more about KU acrobatics and tumbling online.

Kutztown University field hockey set a new record with 10 Golden Bears earning National Field Hockey Coaches Association Division II Scholars of Distinction for 2025. The 10 members of KU include Marlee Fetrow (Birdsboro, Pa./Daniel Boone), Kiera Gallagher (Quakertown, Pa./Quakertown), Olivia Kirkpatrick (Annville, Pa./Palmyra), Emma Koehler (Lancaster, Pa./Penn Manor), Katie Lawless (Malvern, Pa./Great Valley), Lorelai Lehenky (Coatesville, Pa./Coatesville), Jordan Stroup (Millerstown, Pa./Greenwood), Jade Traynor (Pennsburg, Pa. Upper Perkiomen), Bella Thompson (Red Lion, Pa./Red Lion) and Taylor Vaccaro (Oley, Pa./Oley Valley). Fetrow, Gallagher, Lawless, Lehenky and Stroup all are multi-year scholars of distinction, all having been named last year as well. This NFHCA award program recognizes exceptional undergraduate student-athletes who have achieved a cumulative GPA of 3.9 or higher through the fall semester and were nominated by their NFHCA member coaches. The NFHCA recognized 144 outstanding undergraduate student-athletes overall as 2025 Division II Scholars of Distinction.

Kutztown University field hockey saw 20 members announced as National Field Hockey Coaches Association National Academic Squad members. The Division II National Academic Squad honors student-athletes who have achieved a cumulative grade-point average (GPA) of 3.5 or higher through the first semester of the 2025-26 academic year and who were nominated by their coaching staff. 440 student-athletes from 34 Division II institutions have been named to the 2025 NFHCA Division II National Academic Squad. The NFHCA Scholars of Distinction will be unveiled Friday, Feb. 13, followed by the NFHCA National Academic Team awards Tuesday, Feb. 17, and culminating with the announcement of the National Scholar-Athlete Thursday, Feb. 19.

Kutztown University will have 24 student-athletes representing its softball program for the 2026 season. Learn about KU softball online.