SACRAMENTO, Calif. – St. Francis sophomore Abigail Benavidez earned 2021-22 USA Water Polo Academic All-America honors, as announced by that governing body in October. The list of winners was released in SkipShot magazine, and posted to the USAWP website.
Benavidez, better known to friends and teammates as "Ash," is the lone Troubadour on this year's honor roll. She ranks third on the team in both goals (18) and assists (17), not counting her contributions as a fill-in player for the SF junior varsity squad. Benavidez enjoyed her best game in the team's home opener with Franklin on October 4: career highs of seven goals, three assists and four steals in the team's 20-3 win.
To qualify for the award, a student-athlete must compile a cumulative grade-point average of 3.50 or better (on a 4.0 scale) during the relevant school year, and must hold current USAWP Gold athlete status.
St. Francis finished the regular season with a 10-10 varsity record and a 1-1 mark in Delta League play, earning a berth in the Sac-Joaquin Section postseason. The Troubies will host Atwater at Jesuit High in the first round of the Division II bracket on Tuesday. The official start time will be announced later on Thursday.
UPDATE: Senior Gauri Mathrakott was later added to the list of USAWP academic honorees, marking her third straight nod.
