GVSU's Hixson Named Division II CCA Regional Scholar-Athlete Winner

GVSU's Hixson Named Division II CCA Regional Scholar-Athlete Winner

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BAY CITY, Mich. - Former Grand Valley State University pole vaulter Kristen Hixson was one of sixteen regional winners of the NCAA Division II Conference Commissioners Association Scholar-Athlete of the Year Award announced August 14.

Hixson, the 2013-14 GLIAC Female Scholar-Athlete of the Year as a finance major with a 3.97 G.P.A., repeated as the Capital One Academic All-America® of the Year for the Division II Women's Track and Field/Cross Country program after earning the honor a year ago. Hixson is one of two three-time Capital One Academic All-America® Women's Track and Field/Cross Country first-team selection on this year's squad.

 

A seven-time NCAA Division II All-American, Hixson capped off her stellar career at Grand Valley State by claiming her third individual national title in the pole vault. The Remus, Michigan, native set a new Division II standard at the outdoor national championship, clearing 4.50 meters (14-9) to win the title and claim the eighth-best pole vaulting mark in the world this year at the time of the meet. Hixson also won the national pole vaulting titles in 2012, sweeping both the indoor and outdoor individual championships.

 

Hixson's efforts in the pole vault helped the Lakers finish third as a team at the 2014 NCAA Division II Outdoor Track & Field Championship. Hixson was one of four student-athletes from Grand Valley State to be named to the Meijer Commissioner's Award list for the winter season. She is a four-time Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference pole vault champion and has posted four other top-five finishes at the NCAA Division II Indoor and Outdoor Track & Field Championship in the discipline.

 

The commissioners from each Division II basketball region selected the regional winners.  To be nominated for consideration, a student-athlete must have attained a 3.0 cumulative grade point average and possess outstanding athletic credentials.

 

This award, sponsored by the Division II Conference Commissioners Association, provides the opportunity for Division II to highlight the extraordinary achievements of its student-athletes.  Steve Murray, Division II CCA President and Commissioner of the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference, noted that the award showcases the academic and athletic talent at the NCAA Division II level. “The CCA Scholar-Athlete Awards highlight the great achievements of our student-athletes both on the field and in the classroom”, explained Murray.

 

The national award winners will be announced in September. A male and female Division II Scholar-Athlete of the Year will be selected from the 16 regional winners, eight men and eight women. 

 

 

Women’s Regional Winners

Kasey Barnett – Chico State University – Track & Field – Recreation Administration (3.956)

Kristen Hixson – Grand Valley State University – Track & Field – Finance (3.97)

Danielle Williams – Johnson C. Smith University – Track & Field – Business Management (3.88)

Kristen Celsor – Harding University –Basketball, Track & Field – Communication Sciences and Disorders (3.91)

Ellen Chambers – Lynn University – Golf – International Relations (4.0)

Lauren Battista – Bentley University – Basketball – Marketing (3.96)

Laura Iwuchukwu –West Texas A&M University – Volleyball – Elementary Education (3.945)

Ashley Sarmiento – Tusculum College – Volleyball – Mathematics and Math Education (3.92)

 

Men’s Regional Winners

Andisheh Bagheri – University of California, San Diego – Soccer – Biology (4.0)

Nick Thimesch – Drury University – Baseball – Biology and Chemistry (3.71)

Dan Altavilla – Mercyhurst University – Baseball – Sports Med/Pre- Physical Therapy (3.70)

Trevor Adams – Northwest Missouri State University – Football – Biology (3.94)

Robbie Swan – Florida Southern College – Swimming – Business (3.855)

Dominykas Milka – The College of Saint Rose – Basketball – Accounting (3.65)

Dustin Vaughan – West Texas A&M University – Football – Biology/Pre-Med (3.869)

Robbie Nallenweg – Wingate University – Football – Biology (3.812)