AUSTIN, Texas – The 2022 CoSIDA Academic All-America Women’s At-Large Teams were announced Wednesday and Gustavus hockey player Kayla Vrieze (Sr., Eagan) was selected Second Team Academic All-America. Academic All-America Teams recognize the nation’s top student-athletes for their combined performances athletically and in the classroom.
Vrieze, a public accounting major with a 3.99 GPA, had a banner year by earning 2022 CCM/AHCA First Team All-America, the 2022 NCAA Elite 90 Award, and the 2022 MIAC Elite 22 Award. Vrieze also earned MIAC All-Conference this season, while helping the Gusties win both the MIAC regular season and playoff titles, along with a runner-up finish at the NCAA Championships. Vrieze earned the MIAC Elite 22 Award in 2020 as well and is a three-time MIAC Academic All-Conference selection. She’s accumulated 13 goals, 26 assists, 39 points, a +45 rating, and four game-winning goals in her career as a defender. Vrieze has missed only one game out of 91 in her career while the Gusties have posted a 67-15-9 record during that time. Vrieze, a team captain, earns the women’s hockey program’s eighth CoSIDA Academic All-America honor and first since Carolyn Draayer garnered consecutive selections in 2014 and 2015. Vrieze is one of three ice hockey players on the 15-member Second Team. There are also 15 members on the Third Team. Gustavus now has 41 Women’s At-Large Academic All-Americans, which ranks sixth among all NCAA divisions.
To be eligible for Academic All-America consideration, a student-athlete must be a varsity starter or key reserve, maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.30 on a scale of 4.00, have reached sophomore athletic and academic standings at his/her current institution and be nominated by his/her sports information director.
| GAC Release | CoSIDA Release |
