LOUISVILLE, Ky. –  15 members of Wellesley College softball have received Easton/National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) All-America Scholar-Athlete honors for the 2023-24 academic year. The Blue recorded a 3.55 team GPA.

Recent graduates Elli DeCleene (North Reading, Mass.), Parker Phillips (River Forest, Ill.), Julz Vargas (Los Angeles, Calif.), rising seniors Peytin Penny (Louisville, Ky.), Lauren Young (Fresno, Calif.) and rising juniors Andrea Delgado (Miami, Fla.) and Chiara Lundin (Piedmont, Calif.) all earned their second career All-America Scholar-Athlete award. 

Recent grad Emma Slibeck (New York, N.Y.), rising senior Charis Chung (San Gabriel, Calif.), rising juniors Emeline Gaunce (Los Altos, Calif.), Karen Xiao (Berwyn, Pa.) and rising sophomores Diana Borrison (San Jose, Calif.), Ashley Galbraith (Frisco, Texas), Alena Mulhern (Kingston, Mass.) and Sarah Wicker (Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla.) have each been recognized as Scholar-Athletes for the first time.

The rankings and honors recognize the academic prowess of softball teams across the Association's membership categories. NCAA Division I led the way with 2,573 student-athletes earning a 3.5 grade-point average or higher for 2023-24. NCAA Division III followed with 2,285 and NCAA Division II with 1,510. NAIA and junior colleges came in with 873 and 808 student-athletes respectively.

The NFCA (National Fastpitch Coaches Association) is the professional organization for fastpitch softball coaches. Known for its highly-regarded Awards Program, the NFCA also educates and supports softball coaches on a variety of different levels: from NFCA podcasts to a comprehensive drills database, to in-person events and a National Convention.