Aug. 21, 2012

COLUMBUS, Ohio - In addition to reaching new levels of success on the field, the Ohio State women's lacrosse team continued its achievements in the classroom during 2012. Nineteen players were recently named to the American Lacrosse Conference (ALC) Academic Honor Roll, while the team was heralded as an Academic Squad by the Intercollegiate Women's Lacrosse Coaches Association (IWLCA), the organization announced Monday night.

In all, 123 ALC student-athletes received the accolade by the conference, given to individuals who maintained a grade point average of 3.0 or better for the 2011-12 academic year. Among Ohio State's selections was Alayna Markwordt, a two-time All-American and Ohio State's all-time leading scorer, who earned her degree in dietetics in the spring.

Also included were IWLCA all-region honorees Kirsten Donahue, who graduated in the spring, and rising junior Tayler Kuzma, one of eight returning starters from last season, as well as rising senior Rachel Blue, who was a Big Ten Distinguished Scholar in the spring. Blue, a molecular genetics major, received that honor for having at least a 3.7 GPA.

The IWLCA recognized 42 schools as earning Academic Squad honors for the 2012 season for holding a team GPA of 3.0 or higher.

The 2012 Buckeyes finished the season 11-6 overall with their second-consecutive trip to the semifinals of the ALC Tournament. Ohio State reached double-digit victories for the seventh time in 17 seasons after starting the year 5-0 for the first time in a decade.

ALC Academic Honor Roll
Olivia Annalora
Kelsea Ayers
Kelly Becker
Rachel Blue
Katie Chase
Alli Dawson
Tori DeScenza
Kirsten Donahue
Taylor Donahue
Cara Facchina
Mary Kate Facchina
Hallie Keselman
Tayler Kuzma
Alayna Markwordt
Jennifer Porretto
Caylee Rafalko
Kate Sullivan
Emily Valli
Rachel Wiederkehr