FCSAA Announces Finalists for 2022-23 Athletic and Academic Awards

June 23, 2023

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – The Florida College System Activities Association (FCSAA) has announced the finalists for the 2022-23 end-of-year awards. Lake-Sumter State College (LSSC) has two athlete of the year finalist, one scholar-athlete of the year finalist, and two academic team of the year finalists.

The nominees for individual awards are comprised of each FCSAA Championship sport's Player of the Year and Scholar-Athlete of the Year.

Molly Bender – Female Athlete of the Year Finalist (softball)

Bender most recently became Lakehawk softball's first-ever All-American. She was named a Second Team All-American by both the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) and the National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA).

Bender was also named the FCSAA DII Softball Player of the Year after leading the state in batting average (.453) and stolen bases (44). She was also second for homeruns (13) and fourth in RBIs (44).

Additionally, she was named Region 8 DII Softball Player of the Week three times throughout the season. Bender was also named to the FCSAA All-Tournament Team after hitting 6-for-15 with two doubles, four runs scored, and four stolen bases.

Ali Shenefield – Female Athlete of the Year Finalist (softball)

Shenefield was named the FCSAA DII Softball Pitcher of the Year and the FCSAA Tournament Most Outstanding Pitcher after leading the Lakehawks through their most successful season to date.

In 125 innings pitched in the 2023 season, Shenefield maintained a program-best 1.90 ERA while recording a program-best 158 strikeouts finishing with an 18-4 record.

Colton Berquist – Male Scholar-Athlete of the Year Finalist (men's cross country)

Berquist received the Larry Monts Award earlier this week, the scholar-athlete award for cross country. He graduated in May 2023 with his A.A. degree after maintaining a 3.80 GPA in his two years at LSSC.

Berquist was an All-FCSAA performer at the Region 8 Championship taking third-place to help the Lakehawks two a second-place team finish.

Beach Volleyball – Female Academic Team of the Year Finalist

The LSSC beach volleyball team completed the 2022-23 school year with a team GPA of 3.30.