Six standout student-athletes garnered the Elite Scholar Athlete Award – Presented by Conway Regional Health System. Harding’s Katelyn Kabrich, Henderson State’s Bobbi Bazzle, Northwestern Oklahoma State’s Summya Adigun, Ouachita Baptist’s Madeleine Tipton, Southern Arkansas’ Marlee Bright and Southwestern Oklahoma State’s Libbi Zinn all own perfect 4.00 grade-point averages.
Giddey became just the second person in league history lauded as both the league’s Player and Defensive Player of the Year. She matched the feat of Arkansas Tech’s Roselis Silva, who won both in 2012-13. Giddey paced the league and ranked inside the top 10 in Division II in blocks. Her 15 double-doubles tie for most in the conference with Harding’s Sage Hawley. She also leads the GAC in field-goal percentage while ranking second in rebounds, third in assists and fourth in scoring. May guided the Crimson Storm to their third-straight regular-season title.
The Tigers’ Edelen became the program’s second Newcomer of the Year while Dannefer became the first from ECU named the GAC’s top freshman. Edelen paced the Tigers in scoring at 14.2 points per game. Dannefer contributed 8.8 points and 4.9 rebounds per game.
Giddey, Oklahoma Baptist’s Mackenzie Crusoe and Southeastern Oklahoma State’s Caitlin Kobiske made the All-GAC First Team by unanimous consent. Kobiske and Crusoe ranked second and third, respectively, in the conference in scoring. Crusoe ranked third in steals per game and second in free-throw percentage. Kobiske led the league in free throws made and attempted.
Harding placed three on the First Team in Hawley, Rory Geer and Aubrey Isbell. Hawley finished the regular season as the GAC’s top scorer, 18.1 per game, and top rebounder, 10.6 per game. She has moved to 17th on the Division II all-time rebounds list with 1,324. Her 67 career double-doubles rank fifth in DII history. Geer led the league in offensive rebounding and third in rebounds per game. She added 12.3 points per game. Isbell averaged 13.5 points per game and shot a league-leading 88.4 percent from the free-throw line.
Edelen headlined the All-GAC Second Team. Southern Arkansas’ Te’Quaza Chambers, Oklahoma Baptist’s Jaedyn Getman, Southeastern Oklahoma State’s Kenzli Warden and Southwestern Oklahoma State Averi Zinn earned spots on the Second Team.
The Honorable Mention team consisted of three from Northwestern Oklahoma State – Kira Bass, Carly Craig and Payton Jones – Henderson State teammates Natalie Cardenas and Brynlee Huggins, Arkansas Tech’s Julie Wagner, Arkansas-Monticello’s Bailey Harris, Harding’s Josie Williams, Ouachita Baptist’s Madeleine Tipton and Southern Nazarene’s Katie King.
The GAC Academic Honor Roll featured a total of 78 student-athletes to have achieved a cumulative grade-point average of 3.50, or higher, combined with at least one year of one-year of full-time college residency.
Get Local News!
