STANDISH, ME - The Saint Joseph's College field hockey team was one of 106 NCAA DIII programs to receive 2011 Gladiator by SGI/NFHCA Collegiate National Academic Team honors.

The National Field Hockey Coaches Association (NFHCA) presents the award to those institutions that achieve a minimum GPA of 3.0 during the first semester of the 2011-12 academic year. Nine North Atlantic Conference (NAC) programs garnered the academic accolade, as Castleton, Husson, Lasell, Maine-Farmington, New England College, Rivier, and Simmons accompany Saint Joseph's on the list.

In addition, eight St. Joe's players have claimed Gladiator by SGI/NFHCA Division III National Academic Squad honors after posting a GPA of 3.30 or higher through the first semester of the 2011-2012 academic year. Seniors Sarah Bartell (Exeter, N.H.), Meaghan Johnson (Portland, Maine/Cheverus) and Ashley Walukevich (Kingston, N.H.), sophomores Carley Denis (Lewiston, Maine), Theresa Hendrix (Scarborough, Maine/Cheverus) and Rachelle Messuri (Atkinson, N.H.), and freshmen Peyton Dostie (Standish, Maine) and Kaylee Heath (Pittston, Maine) have all earned the high academic honor.

Walukevich, one of the Monks top defenders and a Political Science major, gains special notice as one of just 98 players out of 1,233 honorees to gain the Gladiator by SGI/NFHCA Division III National Academic Squad accolade in each of her four seasons. She is also one of just three NAC players - joining Farmington's Jennifer Bernhardt and Amanda Naimie of New England College on the list. 

The NAC was well-represented among individuals listed on the academic list as well with 75 players from 10 conference programs earning mention. As a team, Saint Joseph's has now claimed the NFHCA academic honor on seven occasions. 

2011-12 Gladiator by SGI/NFHCA Division III National Academic Teams

2011-12 Gladiator by SGI/NFHCA Division III National Academic Squad