LOUISVILLE, Ky. – The NFCA (National Fastpitch Coaches Association) announced its Easton GPA awards for the 2023-2024 academic year. For this past year, the Western Michigan softball team earned the 15th-highest team GPA nationally (3.69) behind 17 Easton/NFCA All-America Scholar-Athletes. 

To be recognized for the award, a Division I team must attain at least a 3.0 GPA throughout the entire 2023-24 school year.

According to the NFCA, the rankings and honors recognize the academic prowess of softball teams across the Association's membership categories. NCAA Division I led the way with 2,573 student-athletes earning a 3.5 grade-point average or higher for 2023-24. NCAA Division III followed with 2,285 and NCAA Division II with 1,510. NAIA and junior colleges came in with 873 and 808 student-athletes respectively.

The 17 Broncos named to the exclusive All-America Scholar-Athletes by Easton/NFCA earned a cumulative GPA of 3.5 or above.

WMU's honorees are listed below:

Rissa Bajusz
Haley Boxwell
Cassidy Brendtke
Riley Dittmar
Gabbie Evans
Taylor Garey 
Jensen Gremillion 
Addison Hudson 
Payton Kelly
Megan Malartsik
Analeez Niles
Kailey O'Connor
Haleigh Smith 
Caitlin Tighe
Megan Welsh
Taylor Wolfe
Emily Yacapraro
 

This year, over 8,000 student-athletes across the nation earned 2023-24 Scholar-Athlete honors. Team GPAs and scholar-athletes are submitted by member head coaches.

The Easton/NFCA Academic Team list can be found here, while the full All-America Scholar-Athlete list can be found here.