Six EMU student-athletes have been named to the Academic All-State Team by the Virginia Sports Information Directors (VaSID). A total of 226 student-athletes representing 38 colleges and universities in the state were recognized.
Those honored from Eastern Mennonite University were:
Erica Detweiler (Hickory, N.C./Fred T. Foard), Sr., Women’s Soccer – Defender, Environmental Sustainability, 3.95 GPA. Detweiler helped solidify the back row on the soccer team, starting all 19 games for a team which posted five shutouts. She scored one goal and added two assists. Detweiler also was named CoSIDA Capital One Academic All-District and earned EMU’s President Award, which is the highest honor an EMU student-athlete can receive.
Brooke Hensley (Elkton, Va./Spotswood), Sr., Softball – Shortstop, Nursing, 3.63 GPA. Hensley was a four-year starter at shortstop for the Royals, very effectively balancing an All-ODAC and All-Region career on the field with EMU’s tough nursing major in the classroom. She batted .306 this year 21 RBIs and a team-best 25 runs. Hensley graduates with EMU records for career hits (186), career singles (129) and career assists (367).
Rachel Kennel (Parkesburg, Pa./Lancaster Mennonite), Sr., Women’s Volleyball – Middle Hitter, Nursing, 3.81 GPA. Kennel also successfully balanced the demands of a sport and the nursing major. On the court, she led the Royals in a resurgent year with 217 kills. Kennel was second on the team with 2.19 kills and 0.52 blocks per set.
Jacob Landis (Sterling, Ill./Sterling), Jr., Men’s Cross Country/Track & Field, Congregational Ministry, 3.91 GPA. Transferring in from Hesston College this year, Landis had a slow start in the fall recovering from an injury, but was hitting his stride by the end of cross country season. He grabbed All-Region status by running a PR of 26:17.69 at the regional meet, and then broke a program record in the track season. At the ODAC indoor meet, Landis set EMU’s record in the 5000m, crossing in 15:41.94. He is also second in the outdoor 5000m (15:25.08) and third in the indoor 3000m (9:06.57).
Krista Rittenhouse (Mt. Pleasant, Pa./Mt. Pleasant Area), Sr., Women’s Cross Country/Track & Field, Liberal Arts, 3.93 GPA. Rittenhouse was part of the distance medley relay team which broke an EMU record and won gold at the ODAC Championships with a time of 13:17.17. She also landed at No. 8 in the EMU history books in outdoor 5000m (19:29.20) and No. 9 in the indoor mile (5:47.15).
Andrew Yoder (Harrisonburg, Va./Eastern Mennonite), Jr., Men’s Soccer – Keeper, Accounting/Economics, 3.95 GPA. Completing his second season as EMU’s starting keeper, Yoder made 78 saves in 17 games. He twice tied his career high with 10 stops in a game and was named to the All-Cialella Classic Team for his play at a tourney the second weekend of the season.
To earn VaSID Academic All-State honors, a student-athlete must have achieved at least a 3.25 grade point average and be at least a sophomore. Each school in the state is allowed six nominees.
VaSID is comprised of sports information or athletics communications professionals from intercollegiate institutions throughout the Commonwealth of Virginia. Membership is open to any individual affiliated with one of the state’s institutions at the NCAA Division I, Division II, Division III, NAIA, USCAA and community college levels, provided that individual’s area of responsibility lies within the realm of sports information.