Willamette Triathlon Team and Four Bearcats are Chosen Scholar All-America

By Robert McKinney, Assistant Athletics Director, Communications

SALEM, Ore. -- The Willamette University women's triathlon team and four Bearcat triathletes have been named Scholar All-American for the 2023 season as selected by the College Triathlon Coaches Association (CTCA). The individuals receiving Division III Scholar All-American honors for Willamette were Ella Isaacson (Jr., Saint Paul, MN/Central HS) and Riga Grubis (Fy., Fairbanks, AK/West Valley HS). Receiving Division II Honorable Mention Scholar All-American recognition were Veronica Castille (Jr., Round Rock, TX/Cedar Ridge HS) and Maya Ryley (Fy, Eugene, OR/North Eugene HS).

Isaacson was named a CTCA Scholar All-American selection for the second time after previously earning the honor in 2021. She was chosen Honorable Mention Scholar All-American in 2022. Castille was named Honorable Mention Scholar All-American for the second time. She also received Honorable Mention status in 2021.

Individual award winners needed to achieve a grade point average of 3.5 or greater during the fall season and compete at the 2023 Women's Collegiate Triathlon Championships. Student-Athletes who met the GPA requirement and placed in the top 20 within their division at the National Championships received Scholar All-American honors. Competitors who met the GPA requirement and placed outside of the top 20 at the National Championships were chosen Honorable Mention Scholar All-Americans.

A total of 33 teams, including 10 teams in NCAA Division III, received Scholar All-America honors by earning a team grade point average of 3.2 or higher during the fall semester. In addition to Willamette, other NCAA Division III teams selected for their success in the classroom were Calvin College (Mich.), Central College (Iowa), Coe College (Iowa), Concordia University Wisconsin, Eastern Mennonite University (Va.), Guilford College (N.C.), Millikin University (Ill.), North Central College (Ill.), and Trine University (Ind.).

In addition to earning Scholar All-America recognition this season, Grubis was named Division III First Team All-America after tying for seventh place at the National Championships. She also was selected as  the Division III National Freshman of the Year. Isaacson placed 20th at the National Championships and achieved Honorable Mention All-America status for the second time in her career, after previously claiming the award by taking 19th place in 2021.

The Willamette women's triathlon team placed fifth in the Division III standings at the National Championships on Nov. 11, 2023. Head Women's Triathlon Coach Brett Franz of Willamette was voted Division III National Coach of the Year.