June 16, 2017
Bridgeport, Pa.----- A record number 14 San Jose State University women's water polo players were named to the 2017 Association of Collegiate Water Polo Coaches (ACWPC) All-Academic team.
For the first time, more than half of a Spartan women's water polo team was named to the ACWPC's annual national all-academic team in a year.
The 14 Spartans exceed the total number of San Jose State award winners (13) from the 2015 and 2016 teams combined.
"This is unbelievable and very impressive. The women get all the credit," said San Jose State head coach Gabor Sarusi. "We can put out the message that academics is our #1-priority here at San Jose State."
As a team, San Jose State was honored by the ACWPC for the second year in a row with a team honor for its team cumulative grade point average above a 3.00.
To qualify for the 2017 ACWPC All-Academic team, a player needed a minimum cumulative grade-point average of 3.20 or higher on a 4.00 scale.
Senior co-captain Cara Robinson earned her third national academic honor from the ACWPC. Senior Donia Momen and juniors Tayler Peters, Katelynn Thompson and McKenna Yates were honored for the second time.
Senior Sara Northam; juniors Molly Kaster, Jennifer Liu, Klaudia Paradi and Giuliana Tragitt; sophomores Sierra Painter, Shannon Spence and Michelle Taikeff; and freshman Jacqui Maisey were first-time award winners.
The ACWPC awards cap an outstanding year of women's water polo academic achievements. During the season, the Spartans were recognized with a NCAA Public Recognition Award for their maximum Academic Progress Rate (APR) multi-year score of 1,000. Also, nine San Jose State players were named to the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation All-Academic team.
2017 Association of Collegiate Water Polo Coaches (ACWPC) All-Academic Team
San Jose State University selections only
Name | Position | Class | Hometown |
Molly Kaster | Driver | Junior | San Diego, Calif. |
Jennifer Liu | Driver | Junior | San Jose, Calif. |
Jacqui Maisey | 2-Meter | Freshman | N. Vancouver, B.C. |
Donia Momen | Driver | Senior | N. Vancouver, B.C. |
Sara Northam | Goalkeeper | Senior | Granite Bay, Calif. |
Sierra Painter | Driver | Sophomore | San Jose, Calif. |
Klaudia Paradi | Driver | Junior | Eger, Hungary |
Tayler Peters | Goalkeeper | Junior | Union CIty, Calif. |
Cara Robinson | Driver | Senior | Calgary, Alberta |
Shannon Spence | Goalkeeper | Sophomore | Coronado, Calif. |
Michelle Taikeff | Driver | Sophomore | San Jose, Calif. |
Katelynn Thompson | Goalkeeper | Junior | Penryn, Calif. |
Giuliana Tragitt | Utility | Junior | Clovis, Calif. |
McKenna Yates | Driver | Junior | San José, Calif. |