MANAHAWKIN, N.J. – The National Field Hockey Coaches Association (NFHCA) announced the 2023 NFHCA Division III Scholars of Distinction Monday morning (Feb. 19).
Sophomore Jena Vanskiver (Fallston, Md./Fallston) and first-years Emma Mastrangelo (Cinnaminson, N.J./Cinnaminson), Caroline McDonald (Frederick, Md./Tuscarora), Elena Pasko (New Freedom, Pa./Susquehannock), and Alyssa Riggleman(Sudlersville, Md./Queen Anne’s County) were all named Scholars of Distinction.
The Seahawk quintet was part of 509 student-athletes recognized as Scholars of Distinction. The Scholars of Distinction program recognizes student-athletes who have achieved a cumulative grade-point average (GPA) of 3.9 or higher through the fall semester of the 2023-24 academic year. All five were named to the NFHCA National Academic Squad on Valentine’s Day.
Vanskiver was selected as a Scholar of Distinction for the second time in her career. The 5-3 defender is a political science and public policy studies double major and Spanish minor with a 3.976 cumulative grade point average. She is a two-time Second Team All-Atlantic East Conference selection.
Mastrangelo is making her first appearance as a Scholar of Distinction. The 5-4 midfielder is majoring in marine science with a minor in environmental studies, boasting a 4.0 GPA. This season, she saw action in 10 games.
McDonald is a biology major with a 3.933 cumulative GPA. The 5-4 goalie played in all 19 contests with 16 starts. She finished her rookie season with a 1.44 goals against average, six shutouts, and an 11-6 record. McDonald posted a .662 save percentage as well.
A psychology major, Pasko owns a 4.0 GPA as well. The 5-4 forward stepped on the field for 16 games.
Riggleman, a 5-6 midfielder, is a biology major with the team’s third 4.0 GPA. She played in 18 contests with nine starts, contributing four goals and an assist.
Middlebury College placed the most student-athletes on the Scholars of Distinction list this year with 12 honorees while University of Lynchburg was a close second with 11 placements.
Since the inception of the Scholar of Distinction program in 2012, St. Mary’s College has had 17 Seahawks named Scholars of Distinction.
Past Seahawk Scholars of Distinction
- Sophie Carlson ’22 – 2019, 2020, 2021
- Kelly Emge ’22 – 2019, 2020
- Shelby Ennis ’19 – 2014
- Jill Hayden ’25 – 2022
- Maggie Howells ’23 – 2019
- Celina Kaufman ’23 – 2022
- Hayden Kesner ’24 – 2020
- Emma Mastrangelo ’27 – 2023
- Caroline McDonald ’27 – 2023
- Courtney Mellon ’20 – 2015, 2016
- Rachel Lansbury ’22 – 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021
- Jillian Mazingo ’25 – 2021, 2022
- Elena Pasko ’27 – 2023
- Alyssa Riggleman ’27 – 2023
- Kelly Shuman ’15 – 2012, 2013, 2014
- Jena Vanskiver ’26 – 2022, 2023
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