Six EMU student-athletes have been named to the Academic All-State Team by the Virginia Sports Information Directors (VaSID). A total of 220 student-athletes representing 37 colleges and universities across the state were recognized.
Those honored from Eastern Mennonite University were:
Isaac Alderfer (Broadway, Va./Broadway), Jr., Men’s Track & Field/Cross Country, Environmental Science, 3.97. Alderfer just completed an incredible season with a trip to the NCAA National Championships in the 800m, and was named the EMU Male Athlete of the Year for the second consecutive time. He broke all four of EMU’s indoor and outdoor middle distance records, and broke one ODAC record and another ODAC Championships mark. Along with numerous All-ODAC, All-Region and All-State awards, Alderfer claimed seven ODAC Runner of the Week honors this spring.
Jonas Beachy (Grants Pass, Ore./Hidden Valley), Jr., Men’s Soccer, Engineering, 3.98. Beachy earned a starting role in EMU’s midfield this year and scored a goal against rival Bridgewater College. He was recently named a Player of Distinction by the United Soccer Coaches.
Megan Breidigan (Douglassville, Pa./Daniel Boone), Sr., Women’s Soccer, Secondary English Education, 4.0. Breidigan wrapped up a career as a four-year starter in EMU’s defense line, helping the women’s team to 19 shutouts in her 55 games. She also was voted to the select CoSIDA Academic All-District Team for the second team and was awarded the EMU President’s Award.
Skylar Hedgepeth (Smithfield, Va./Smithfield), Jr., Field Hockey/Women’s Lacrosse, Elementary Education, 4.0. Hedgepeth led EMU’s field hockey team in scoring with four goals and two assists, adding an All-ODAC Second Team award in the postseason. She was also a starter for the women’s lacrosse team, notching seven ground balls in a defensive role.
Elizabeth Miller (Archbold, Ohio/Archbold), Sr., Women’s Track & Field/Cross Country/Triathlon, Spanish, 4.0. Miller was a steady contributor in the distance events for the track & field women. She ran in four events at the ODAC Outdoor Championships, finishing in the top-13 of each of them and running her personal best in all three individual races. Miller also joined the triathlon team this year and was top-7 in both of EMU’s races.
Allison Shelly (Collinsville, Miss./West Lauderdale), Jr., Women’s Track & Field/Cross Country/Triathlon, Political Science, 4.0. Shelly blossomed as a runner this year, earning All-ODAC, All-State and All-Region honors as part of the indoor track & field season. She finished top-7 in the 1500m, 5000m and 10000m at the ODAC Outdoor Championships, earning points for the Royals in all three events. She was also EMU’s No. 3 finisher in triathlon and was named the EMU Female Athlete of the Year.
Alderfer, Breidigan and Hedgepeth were each selected to the Academic All-State Team for the second consecutive year.
To be eligible for Academic All-State, a student-athlete must have at least a 3.25 cumulative grade point average, and be a sophomore or higher.