More than 80 University of the Pacific student-athletes received conference honors for their impressive academic achievements during the 2022-23 school year, with more than two dozen also earning district and national recognition.

Thirty-four student-athletes were named to academic all-district teams by the College Sports Communicators organization, including four each from men’s and women’s water polo and women’s basketball. The Academic All-America program recognizes the nation’s top student-athletes based on their combined performance in academics and athletics.

The West Coast Conference also selects all-academic teams for each of its sports. Twelve of Pacific’s 17 sports competed in the West Coast Conference this year.

Twelve Tigers were named to the all-academic first team, with an additional 50 student-athletes earning honorable mention.

Softball led with three student-athletes selected to the WCC All-Academic First Team, including senior health and exercise science major Vanessa Strong (4.00), senior education major Carly Lucchetti (3.83) and junior psychology major Rian Dirmeyer (3.68 GPA).

“We are very proud of the accomplishments of these athletes,” said Softball Coach Brian Kolze. “We strive as a program to be committed to the classroom and the field. They are true examples of what it means to be a student-athlete.”

This is the second consecutive year the West Coast Conference has honored Lucchetti and Strong with first team honors. Both students have earned undergraduate degrees and are completing master’s degrees this summer. Lucchetti will earn her master’s in education to complement a bachelor’s in psychology. Strong is completing a master’s in health, exercise and sports science. Both students plan to teach following graduation.

“It’s so gratifying to be recognized for the hard work we do off the field, and it is important to strive to be the best we can be in the classroom,” said Lucchetti. “As a team, we have prioritized academic success because our academics will carry us the furthest in the future.”

Men’s soccer also had multiple conference all-academic first team selections with senior biological sciences major Avery Whipple (3.98) and senior economics major Emory Rapaport (3.84).

“The West Coast Conference recognized two of the most well-rounded young men that I have ever been fortunate to coach,” said Men’s Soccer Head Coach Adam Reeves. “This recognition for achievement on and off the field is a testament to their character and commitment to the whole student-athlete.”

The other first team honorees include Ben Nemivant (baseball), Leonardo Rigamonti (golf), Megan Nishimura (volleyball), Ran Amar (men’s tennis), Megan Carmichael (women’s tennis), Jenae Packard (women’s soccer) and Rosie Schweizer (women’s basketball).

The men’s and women’s water polo teams competed in the Golden Coast Conference. On the men’s side, Bae Fountain and Liam Egan were named to the Association of Collegiate Water Polo Coaches (ACWPC) top academic honor team. Four additional men’s student-athletes were also honored. The ACWPC women’s awards have not been announced.

The swimming programs compete in the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation. Ten men and nine women were named to the conference’s all-academic team.

See the full list of honorees.