by Matt Cooke
The University of West Georgia announced Friday that a record number of student-athletes have been named to the 2013 Gulf South Conference Fall All-Academic Team. A total of 13 UWG performers claimed the honor in a joint vote of the league’s Sports Information Directors (SIDs) and Faculty Athletic Representatives (FARs).
Football led the way for the UWG contingent as a total of seven Wolves were voted to the squad. The list included three holdovers from a year ago: senior kicker Mark Bardenwerper, senior linebacker Adam Strakose and junior wide receiver Alex Macaulay. Four UWG standouts were voted to the team for the first time. This list included junior offensive lineman Garrison Ushery, sophomore quarterback Dallas Dickey, sophomore defensive lineman Isaiah Hinsley and linebacker Rocky Capobianco, a redshirt freshman.
Three UWG volleyball players captured all-academic honors. Heading the list is two-time honoree Emily Reul, along with newcomers Helen Menchinger and Samantha Drane. Also earning spots on the team were soccer players Rebecca Uranga and Ashlynn Deese, along with women’s cross country standout Tiffany Wommack.
Nominees for the GSC All-Academic Team must have an overall grade point average (GPA) of 3.20 or better for their entire academic career, may not be a freshman or first semester transfer, and the student-athlete must be a significant contributor to his-or-her team. Other factors considered in the process include leadership, campus and community service, and extra curricular activities. The number of student-athletes chosen in each sport is determined by the number of positions normally involved in the playing of that sport. Ties are not broken.
Beyond their selection in the all-academic team, each of UWG’s 13 honorees is also a member of 2013 GSC Fall Academic Honor Roll. A total of 54 UWG student-athletes earned placement on that list. Football led the way in honor roll performers with 19; volleyball, soccer and women’s cross country produced 11 each, while men’s cross country had two honor roll performers.
The GSC Academic Honor Roll is a recognition of any student-athlete who participates in varsity competition while maintaining an overall GPA of 3.0 or above for his or her collegiate career.
