Great Falls, MT - The University of Great Falls Women's Soccer team has earned the National Soccer Coaches Association of America/Adidas Women's Team Academic Award, the NSCAA announced.  This is the first time the program has received the honor.  In addition, seniors Kelsey Chytka (Laramie, WY), Randi Hollen (Chattaroy, WA), and Jessica Selmer (Laramie, WY) were named to the 2009 NSCAA Scholar All-West Region Team.  Selmer was named to the First Team while Chytka and Hollen were named Honorable Mentions. 

"We are truly pleased to have the team's dedication to academics acknowledged with this award," said head coach Brian Clarke of the team accolade, which recognized his squad's 3.49 grade point average.  "Our young ladies work hard to hold a high academic standard.  I believe it is also a tribute to the great faculty we have working at our institution."

To be considered, a team must have a composite GPA of at least 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale) for all team members who appear on the official roster.  All players on the roster must be included in the calculation of the team's GPA.  UGF was one of 337 teams competing this fall at the NCAA Division I, II, III and NAIA levels that had earned the national award.  UGF was one of two Frontier Conference teams to earn the honor.

Of his individual honorees, Clark stated, "I am thrilled that Kelsey, Randi and Jessica continue to garner accolades as their careers have come to a close.  I am very proud of their academic accomplishments.  They were great role models to the rest of our team and wonderful student-athletes."

Chytka, a biology major, has been a three-time Dean's List honoree as well as being team captain of the Lady Argos for three consecutive seasons.  She posted career highs this past season with two goals and two assists.  This is the second consecutive year she has received the honor.

 

Hollen, though just a junior eligibility-wise, has chosen to forego her final season of competition as she will graduate with a degree in business administration.  2009 proved to be a difficult season for Hollen as she battled injuries throughout the second half of the season.  She did appear in 13 contests and had two assists.

 

Selmer, an education major, was also an All-Frontier Conference First Team selection this past season as she successfully navigated the transition from playing striker to defender.  She leaves the program as the Lady Argos; all-time leading goal scorer.  She will continue in yet another role next season for the Lady Argos as a student-assistant.

To view the complete list of NSCAA Team Academic Award recipients, click here.

To view the entire list of Scholar All-West Region recipients, click here