Champions in the Classroom: Students Receive Academic All-League Honors
Valparaiso University student-athletes continue their history of excellence in competition and in the classroom, with eight Valpo students across five sports being placed on Horizon League Academic All-League teams. A total of 53 student-athletes were recognized from the league’s nine institutions, and Valpo’s received the second-most honorees from a single school.
The Horizon League recognizes student-athletes with seasonal Academic All-League Teams in each of its 19 championship sports. To be eligible for Academic All-Horizon League consideration, a student-athlete must have a cumulative grade-point-average of 3.20 or higher (based on a 4.00 scale) and have completed at least one year at the member institution, having earned 24 semester-hour or 36 quarter-hour credits.
Men’s Soccer
Tom Serratore, in his first year as starting goalkeeper, finished third in the league in shutouts (four) and fourth in GAA (1.13) and saves/game (3.71). He also posted shutouts in Valpo’s final two league games to help the squad make the Horizon League Championship. Serratore has a 3.751 cumulative grade point average as a physical education and secondary education major.
Todd Vervynckt tallied two goals and two assists in 2013 in 15 games playing out of the midfield, scoring goals in wins over Michigan State and IUPUI. Vervynckt has a 3.986 cumulative GPA as a mechanical engineering major. He was also named a CoSIDA First Team Academic All-American as a senior, following Third Team honors as a junior.
Women’s Soccer
Rita Craven led Crusaders in assists and finished tied for the team best in points. Craven was a match-winner for Valpo versus DePaul, the program’s first-ever win over a major conference program, and she also netted the game-winner against Youngstown State. Craven has a 3.952 cumulative GPA as a biology major.
Kristen Manski was named a Second Team All-Horizon League honoree at goalkeeper. Manski led the league in shutouts (eight) and GAA (0.78). She closed her career as Valpo’s all-time leader in shutouts (30) and GAA (0.85), which rank second and fifth, respectively, in league history. Manski has a 3.745 cumulative GPA as a psychology major.
Volleyball
Morgan Beil earned All-Horizon League honors for a third straight year. Beil finished the season fourth in the league with a .296 hitting pct., fourth-best single-season mark in Valpo history. She earned three All-Tournament honors in 2013, including MVP at the Popcorn Classic. Beil has a 3.561 cumulative GPA as an elementary education major.
Sarah Dooms, an All-Horizon League honoree, led the Crusaders in kills and finished second on the team in digs, ranking sixth in the league in the latter category. She closed her career fourth in Valpo history in digs and seventh in kills. Dooms has a 3.820 cumulative GPA as a communication major with a public relations concentration.
Men’s Cross Country
David Rutkowski led the Crusaders in five out of six races over the course of the 2013 season. Rutkowski ran a season-best 8K time of 26:04 at Bradley, and he placed 20th at the Horizon League Championships. He has a 3.753 cumulative GPA as a mechanical engineering major.
Women’s Cross Country
Jessica Richardson paced the Crusaders in all six races in 2013. Richardson earned First Team All-Horizon League honors for the second straight season with a seventh-place finish at the Horizon League Championships. She has a 3.875 cumulative GPA as an economics and mathematics major.
