Stockton Field Hockey Team Ranks Fourth Nationally in Academics

Absegami High School graduates and twins Jenny Carpenter and Katie Carpenter were among 15 Richard Stockton College of New Jersey field hockey players who earned academic honors this season, helping the team rank fourth in the nation in academics, the college announced this week.

The team qualified for a Gladiator by SGI/NFHCA Division III National Academic Team Award from the National Field Hockey Coaches Association and tied for fourth in the nation with a team grade point average of 3.54, according to college officials. In 2009, the Ospreys ranked second academically in NCAA Division III, according to college officials.

The players who qualified did so by achieving a grade point average (GPA) of 3.30 or higher. The Carpenters were among six juniors to qualify. The list of juniors also includes Susie Balidemaj (Hamilton/Hamilton East), Stephanie Reichardt (Oakhurst/Ocean Twp.), Lindsey Treptow (Bordentown/Bordentown) and Sarah Walsh (Tuckerton/Pinelands).

Three seniors also qualified, including Nikki Moore (Island Hts./Central Regional), Alison Paulus (Westampton/Rancocas Valley) and Jade Yelk (Middletown/Middletown North). They finished their careers as four-time academic honorees, according to college officials.

The Stockton sophomores to qualify for the national academic squad were Cassie Kirk (Middletown/ Middletown South), Colleen Knight (Pennsauken/Camden Catholic) and Sara Winters (Blackwood/ Triton).  They were joined by freshmen Gabrielle Evans (Bordentown/Bordentown), Kristina Matteo (Woolwich Twp./Kingsway) and Stephanie Reda (Pequannock/Pequannock). 

Evans, Matteo and Reda also were singled out as Gladiator by SGI/NFHCA Division III Scholars of Distinction for posting GPA’s of 3.90 or higher.

The team was 7-12 this season.