CSC Women's At Large Academic All-America Teams

LOS ANGELES -- For the second straight year, Cal State LA's Morgan Sjoerdsma has received a big academic achievement.

Sjoerdsma earned second-team Academic All-America Women's At Large honors on Thursday as selected by the College Sports Communicators (CSC). Sjoersdma is the only golfer in program history to earn a prestigious CSC (formerly CoSIDA) Academic All-America award. The At Large classification includes the sports of golf, swimming, gymnastics, lacrosse, rowing, field hockey, skiing, beach volleyball and bowling.

Sjoerdsma earned CSC All-District honors last month for a third straight year, which put her on the ballot for All-America recognition. She was one of only three student-athletes from the California Collegiate Athletic Association to earn a spot on the At Large All-America teams. Daniela Passoni from Cal State East Bay's water polo team also earned second-team honors, while Cal State East Bay golfer Jasmin Krishna earned third-team honors.

The CSC Academic All-America program recognizes the nation's top student-athletes for their combined performances in athletic competition and in the classroom.To be eligible, a student-athlete must have at least a 3.5 grade point average and be a starter or key reserve. The Division II at large teams honored 50 student-athletes. Sjoerdsma, a mathematics major, carries a 3.97 grade point average.

She was one of six student-athletes who were repeat selections from the 2021-22 Academic All-America Division II at large team.

"She did it again! Just an amazing accomplishment for Morgan. The discipline she possesses is second to none," Cal State LA head coach Hans Kersting said. "To attain the success she has had on the golf course, and to equal that level in the classroom is rare. I ask so much from Morgan as our captain, and she never ceases to amaze me. To say I'm proud of her is a massive understatement."

Sjoerdsma also claimed the CCAA's Elite 13 Award for academic achievement for a second straight year at the conference golf championships in April.

She also had another tremendous season, leading the Golden Eagles once again. She finished fifth in the CCAA Championships and was the only golfer to earn CCAA All-Tournament honors for a second straight year after an inspiring defense of the conference title she won in 2022. She also won her second career tournament, claiming the Sonoma State Fall Invitational championship, and led the Golden Eagles with a 75.28 scoring average. She had four top-five finishes during the 2022-23 season.

Sjoerdsma qualified for the NCAA Super Regionals for a second straight year and finished in a tie for 24th. She was ranked 54th in the nation in the final rankings.

"Morgan continues to exemplify the best of our Golden Eagle student athletes. She is as committed to her education – where she's on her way to earning a degree in mathematics -- as she is to her sport," said Kyle Behen, the Director of Cal State LA's University Academic Advising Center. "She never ceases to impress me with her dedication."

The Division II Academic All-America program is being financially supported by the NCAA Division II national governance structure to assist CSC with handling the awards fulfillment aspects for the 2022-23 Division II Academic All-America program.

The CSC (formerly CoSIDA) Academic All-America award earned by Sjoerdsma is the 17^th all-time for Cal State LA and she joins Christie Lau of women's tennis as the only two Cal State LA student-athletes to earn the honor twice. She is the first female honoree since Iona Lofrano in 2015 and the first to earn second-team honors since Samuel Croucher in 2018.

Cal State LA All-Time CSC/CoSIDA Academic All-America Awards
2023 -- Morgan Sjoerdsma, Women's Golf, 2nd team
2022 -- Morgan Sjoerdsma, Women's Golf, 3rd team
2021 – Daniel Simonis, Men's Soccer, 3rd team
2018 – Samuel Croucher, Men's Soccer, 2nd team
2018 – Ingvar Moseley, Men's Track & Field, 1st team
2015 – Iona Lofrano, Women's Volleyball, 2nd team
2014 – Dane Nielsen, Men's Soccer, 2nd team
2014 – Shane Panther, Men's Soccer, 2nd team
2014 – Heather Williams, Women's Soccer, 3rd team
2013 – Christie Lau, At Large-Women's Tennis, 2nd team
2013 – Lisa Ohberg, Women's Track/CC, 3rd team
2012 – Waleed Cassis, Men's Soccer, 3rd team
2012 – Christie Lau, At Large –Women's Tennis, 2nd team
2011 – Sergio Cedano, Men's Soccer. 3rd team
2000 – Kasey Jungwirth, Women's Volleyball, 1st team
1995 – Marisol Cossio, Women's Track/CC, 3rd team
1987 – Robert Briglia, Men's Track/CC, 3rd team