Worcester State Celebrates National Girls And Women In Sports Day

Worcester, MA --- At the halftime of the women's basketball game on Tuesday, February 7, the women's student-athletes were recognized for their outstanding accomplishments both in the classroom and on the court, field and track. The program was apart of the 26th annual celebration of National Girls and Women's Sports Day.

During the month of February, thousands of sports educators, coaches, athletic directors, recreation directors, association members, sponsors, students and parents across the country will show their support of the day and this years theme: "Title IX at 40: In it for the Long Run."

Worcester State President Barry Maloney and Chairman of the Board of Trustees John Brissette were on hand to present the members of each team member in attendance with a certificate.

The ceremony was kick-started by recognizing women's soccer back Nikki Scott, who was named the schools first Capitol One CO-SIDA Academic All-American since 2002 and women's track standout Mara Kralian who was tabbed to her second-straight US Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association All-Academic team honor.

Below is a list of the other teams who were recognized for their athletic and academic accomplisments during the 2011-12 academic year. (Please click on the link of each team name to view a picture of the team at half-court).

This past semester, 119 women student-athletes out of 179 had a 3.0 grade point average or better and 51 fall sport women's student-athletes were honored on the MASCAC Fall-All Academic team for having a 3.2 grade point average.

The softball team captured their first-ever MASCAC Tournament Championship in 2011, made their first NCAA Division III Tournament appearance since 1987 and head coach Jen Kapenas recieved a nod as the Turfer MASCAC Coach of the Year. The squad had a fall team GPA of 3.48.

The women's soccer team earned a share of the regular season MASCAC title and were this years conference tournament finalists. They would go on to win their first-ever ECAC Division III New England Championship and head coach Kevin Cumberbatch was recognized as the Turfer MASCAC Coach of the Year.

The field hockey team participated in the ECAC Division III New England Tournament and last year they were presented with the 2010 National Field Hockey Coaches Association Team Award for having the best fall GPA in Division I, II and III. This past semester they would have a final GPA of 3.29.

The women's volleyball team would advance to their second-ever MASCAC Tournament Championship game and head coach Bernie Chase was honored as the Co-Turfer MASCAC Coach of the Year. The team had a fall team GPA of 3.19.

The women's tennis team competed for the second year in the Little East Conference and three were named to the leagues all-academic team - junior Erin Desmarais along with sophomore classmates Laura Sarkis and Brooke Michanczyk. They would post a team GPA of 3.30.

The women's cross country team earned a spot as the MASCAC Finalists while they also placed 20th at the NCAA Division III New England regional meet for their best finish in program history. Head Coach Mat Lemaire was named by his peers as the Turfer MASCAC Coach of the Year.

The women's track and field team captured their second-straight indoor championship and in the outdoor season, they were MASCAC and New England Alliance finalists. The squad posted a fall GPA of 3.05 and will look to three-peat their indoor crown on Saturday.

The women's lacrosse team was the last to be recognized as they finished the fall semester with a GPA of 3.17.