MANKATO, Minn.—Senior Hanna Geistfeld (Truman, Minn.) was named First-team Academic All-America selected by the Collegiate Sports Information Directors Association (CoSIDA).

This marks her first career honor, and she is the first honoree from the women's basketball program in the NCAA Division III era.

"Hanna has set new and higher standards for our program through her leadership, work ethic, and commitment," said head coach Lyle Jones. "She has always put the team and her teammates first, and her impact on the program will continue to be felt for years to come."
 
Geistfeld is an elementary education major with a 3.56 GPA. She was the only selection from the Upper Midwest Athletic Conference.

"Balancing academics and athletics is a skill learned at a young age for all athletes," said Geistfeld. "You make it work because that's the only option! You work hard in all areas of life if you want to be successful."

To be nominated, a student-athlete must be a starter or important reserve with at least a 3.30 cumulative grade point average (on a 4.0 scale) at his/her current institution. 

"This award emphasizes Hanna's success not just as an athlete, but as a student as well," said Jones. "Division III athletics allows student-athletes to grow both on the playing field and in the classroom, and thus prepares them for success in future endeavors."

The Academic All-America® Women's Basketball Team, selected by CoSIDA, recognizes the nation's top student-athletes for their combined performances on the field and in the classroom. The CoSIDA Academic All-America® program separately recognizes basketball honorees in four divisions — NCAA Division I, NCAA Division II, NCAA Division III and NAIA.
 
The Division III CoSIDA Academic All-America® programs is partially financially supported by the NCAA Division III national governance structures to assist CoSIDA with handling the awards fulfillment aspects for the 2021-22 Divisions III Academic All-America® programs.­­

Geistfeld said her favorite memory of her time in the women's basketball program is "beating Bethel in the first round of the NCAA tournament, and my second favorite memory is beating Superior for our first NCAA tournament berth.

"I am most proud of the growth the program has made over the past five years," she continued. "We have changed the program from an average team in the UMAC to a well-respected team in the Region." 

NCAA DIII honorees:
FIRST TEAM
Name                                         School                                                         Yr.        GPA           Major
Lexi Dellinger                             Anderson University                                    Sr.         3.92            Elementary Education
Hanna Geistfeld                       Bethany Lutheran                                      Sr.        3.56            Elementary Education
Nicole Heffington (2)                 John Carroll University                                Gr.        3.76 /3.75   Advanced Studies in Education (G)
Olivia Parisi                               William Smith College                                 Sr.         4.00            Economics
Leah Springer (1)                      Messiah University                                      Gr.        3.97 /4.00   Economics (UG) / Intercollegiate Athletic Leadership (G)
Jenna Taylor (1)(8)                   Simpson College                                         Gr.        4.00 /3.76   Accounting & Economic / Finance (UG) / Data Analytics (G)

SECOND TEAM
Name                                         School                                                         Yr.        GPA           Major
Claire Brock                              Emory University                                         Jr.         4.00            Neuroscience & Behavioral Biology
Grace Cannon                           Ithaca College                                              Gr.        3.96 /3.96   Entertainment & Media Management
Averi Jordan (3)                        DeSales University                                      Sr.         3.72            Nursing
Olivia Nagy                                John Carroll University                                Sr.         3.72            Accountancy

THIRD TEAM
Name                                         School                                                         Yr.        GPA           Major
Christina Antonakakis               MIT                                                               Sr.         3.52            Business Analytics / Comp. Science, Economics, & Data Science
Lizzie Davis                               University of Lynchburg                              Sr.         3.96            Biomedical Science
Madison Kellione                       Transylvania University                               Jr.         3.95            Physics / Mathematics
Christina Kiser (3)                     Bard College                                                Sr.         3.74            Biology
Gabby Timmer                          Calvin University                                          Sr.         3.55            Elementary Education
 
CoSIDA Academic All-America® Team Member of the Year: Jenna Taylor, Simpson College
 
(1) = 1st team Academic All-America® in 2020-21
(2) = 2nd team Academic All-America® in 2020-21
(3) = 3rd team Academic All-America® in 2020-21
(8) = 2nd team Academic All-America® in 2018-19

Bethany Lutheran's Academic All-America honorees:
2011      Women's Soccer              Joelle Pipal                        Second-team
2020      Men's Soccer                   Max Busch                        Second-team
2021      Men's Soccer                    Max Busch                         First-team
2022      Women's Basketball        Hanna Geistfeld                First-team