Contact: Clark Teuscher, Sports Information Director, 630-637-5302

July 5, 2016 - The North Central College women's golf team was recognized for its commitment to excellence in academics on Tuesday, as four Cardinals were honored as All-American Scholars for the 2015-2016 season by the Women's Golf Coaches Association (WGCA).

Senior Kayla Koenig received the distinction for the third consecutive year, while senior Kelly Vazquez and junior Paige Candra made the list for the second time and junior Rachel Herzberger was so honored for the first time. Selection for the award requires a minimum 3.50 cumulative grade-point average and participation in at least 67 percent of the team's scheduled competitions during the season.

Koenig, an accounting major, finished third on the team this season with a 18-hole stroke average of 86.75. She is a four-time Academic All-College Conference of Illinois & Wisconsin (CCIW) selection and, as a junior, placed second at the CCIW Championships to earn All-CCIW accolades as well. Vazquez, a physics major, finished with a stroke average of 90.69 this season, placing 21st at the CCIW Championships, and is a three-time Academic All-CCIW honoree.

Candra, an interactive media studies major, averaged 90.18 strokes per round and was the Cardinals' top finisher at the CCIW Championships, placing ninth to claim All-CCIW honors for the first time. Herzberger, an athletic training major, averaged 88.43 strokes and shared 21st place with Vazquez at the CCIW Championships.

A total of 828 representatives of all levels of women's collegiate golf qualified for All-American Scholar recognition, including 135 from 60 NCAA Division III institutions. The CCIW had one other representative on the list, Jaclyn Halden of Illinois Wesleyan University.

North Central has had eight golfers earn a total of 18 All-American Scholar designations since the award's institution in 2009.