PORTLAND, Ore. – Leading the Great Northwest Athletic Conference with four academic all-conference selections, the Montana State University Billings women's golf team placed half of its roster on the list announced by the league office Thursday.
MSUB's four selections were the most among any team in the GNAC. Seniors
Shealyn Hafer and
Sarah Schroefel and sophomores
Kylee Knobloch and
Sydney Rochford represented the Yellowjackets on the academic all-conference list.
"It is great to see four of our women recognized for their hard work in the classroom," said MSUB head coach
Jeff Allen. "Sarah, Shealyn, and Kylee are all completing their education this year, and with that they have carried a heavy load of academics, athletics, and planning for their futures. Their hard work and dedication to their future and the golf program is what college athletics is all about. It is the exact culture that I am seeking with our golf program."
Hafer earned the honor for the third consecutive year, and was 1 of 3 players in the conference to achieve that status. Hafer carries a 3.60 grade point average while studying special education. She is MSUB's leading golfer and ranks No. 9 in the GNAC with a scoring average of 79.6 strokes per round this year. Hafer, a Butte native, has twice earned GNAC Golfer of the Week honors, while playing in all 18 rounds and twice matching her career low with a score of 73.
Schroefel has also played in all 18 rounds this year, and carries a scoring average of 84.8 strokes per round. The Worland, Wyoming, native holds a 3.40 GPA as she completes her degree in health administration.
Rochford is in her second season at MSUB, and has a 3.67 GPA while studying management. The sophomore from Sidney has played in 12 rounds so far this season, and holds a scoring average of 88.5 strokes per round.
Knobloch is also completing her second year with the 'Jackets, and she has a 3.33 GPA while completing her degree in special education. Knobloch, of Birney, has played in four rounds this year and has a scoring average of 95.5.
In order to be eligible for academic all-conference, players must carry a 3.20 GPA or higher, be in at least their second season with their university, and have competed during the 2018-19 season. MSUB's women's golf team is next in action at the 2019 GNAC Championships, running April 22-23 at the Coeur d'Alene Resort in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho.
