Piedmont College women’s soccer player SAVANNAH CASTLES has been named an Academic All-American as announced by the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA) earlier Friday.
“SAVANNAH CASTLES has carried on the tradition of outstanding student athletes coming out of our women’s soccer program,” said Director of Intercollegiate Athletics Jim Peeples of the honor given to Castles. “She epitomizes what it means to be a great Division III Student Athlete. Her hard work at all phases of her college experience have allowed her to win the recognition of being named a CoSIDA Academic All-American. We are all very proud of Savannah and her contributions to our women’s soccer program.”
The Academic All-American team is awarded by the College Sports Information Directors of America and is the only program permitted to use the term Academic All-American.
Taking first team honors in 2016, Castles becomes the fourth Lady Lion soccer player to earn CoSIDA Academic All-American honors overall and the first to do so since Kelsey Schaffernoth achieved the honor back in 2014.
Schaffernoth followed fellow soccer players Justine Clay (2011) and Laura Goodwin (2013) as Academic All-Americans with the remaining honorees from Piedmont’s eight total award winners including softball’s Abby Smith (2015) and Brittney Head (2014), men’s tennis player Patrick Steck (2014), and volleyball’s Kaitlyn Norman who is PC’s only two-time award winner.
“I feel so honored to have received such an award that allows me to represent this college both on and off the field,” said Castles of the Academic All-American nod. “I am really thankful for all of the support I have received from my coaches, family, and professors over the past four years.”
The honor comes after Castles helped Piedmont to its second-straight USA South Championship Tournament title with eight goals on the season including four game-winning goals with all those coming in conference play.
“This is a great accomplishment for Savannah, and it’s great for our program as well,” said Head Women’s Soccer Coach Stephen Andrew. “We place an emphasis on succeeding in the classroom as well as on the field. With Savannah’s honor being our program’s fourth Academic All-American since 2011, this award demonstrates continued success for our younger players to strive toward as they continue through their four years.”
As a veteran for the successful Piedmont women’s soccer program, Castles led Piedmont to a 15-7-1 overall record in 2016 including 10 wins in conference play, the third straight double-digit win total in conference action for the Lady Lions.
A three-time USA South Academic All-Conference honoree, Castles also took 2013 USA South All-Tournament Team status as just a freshman for the USA South Champion Lady Lions before taking 2nd Team All-Conference honors in 2014.
Majoring in Exercise and Sport Science, Castles was a 2016 USA South All-Conference selection earning 1st Team honors in the West Division of the League while maintaining a perfect 4.0 GPA.
The daughter of David and Karyn Castles, Savannah has been a Dean’s Scholar every semester she has been enrolled at Piedmont. Additionally, the White County High School graduate has also managed the payroll for her family’s business as well.
To be eligible for CoSIDA Academic All-America® consideration, a student-athlete must be a varsity starter or key reserve, maintain a cumulative G.P.A. of 3.30 on a scale of 4.00, have reached sophomore athletic and academic standings at his/her current institution and be nominated by his/her sports information director. In addition, nominated student-athletes must have participated in at least 50 percent of the team’s matches at their respective positions.
Since the program’s inception in 1952, CoSIDA has bestowed Academic All-America honors on more than 20,000 student-athletes in Divisions I, II, III and NAIA, covering all NCAA championship sports. For more information about the Academic All-America® Teams program, please visit www.cosida.com.
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