Westlake, OH – With the completion of the 2021 spring season in the rearview mirror, Lake-Sumter State College softball standout, Emily Kolwicz has been selected by the NATYCAA and named to the Scholar-Athlete Team.

The National Alliance of Two-Year College Athletic Administrators (NATYCAA) approved an expanded Scholar-Athlete Awards Program two years ago. One which recognizes up to nine male and nine female honorees, one from each district in its membership. The district winners not only comprise the Scholar-Athlete Team, but are finalists for the NATYCAA Male and Female Scholar-Athlete of the Year Award sponsored by Relation Insurance Solutions.

Nominees must meet the following criteria to be eligible: minimum 3.6 GPA on a 4.0 scale with a minimum of 36 semester hours or 45 quarter hours with a minimum of 24 semester/36 quarter hours at the nominating institution; participation in a minimum of one complete season of varsity competition at the nominating institution; outstanding athletics success; and outstanding qualities of leadership and citizenship. Spring sport athletes may be considered for nomination the following year.

Kolwicz finished her softball career at Lake-Sumter as a First Team All Mid-Florida Conference selection and was later named a Second Team All-Region member. The Spring Hill native gained post season award accolades as a utility player, starting games at third base, second base, left field, center field and as the designated player. All while maintaining a .353 batting average and an on-base percentage of .419. While in the classroom, Kolwicz earned NJCAA All-Academic status for the second consecutive year with a 4.0 GPA in 2021. The utility player will join the Warner Royals softball program beginning in the fall of 2021 to continue her education and playing career.

Paradise Valley Community College Director of Athletics Christina Hundley, who also chairs NATYCAA's Scholar-Athlete Committee, had this to say. "NATYCAA is proud to announce its 2021 Scholar-Athlete Team. It is an honor to recognize these outstanding student-athletes who have excelled in the classroom and on the field. This year was not an easy one and that makes the dedication and accomplishments of these student-athletes that much more commendable. Each of our nine districts advanced their remarkable finalists for consideration and these finalists make up our 2021 Scholar Athlete Team. We are also pleased to recognize all nominees as honorable mention. Congratulations and well done to each of these amazing student-athletes."

Kolwicz, who is the female representative from District 3, is joined by her male counterpart, John Bear, a cross country runner from Florida State College – Jacksonville.