Sarah Darst has been named an ESPN The Magazine First-Team Academic All-American by CoSIDA.
Sarah Darst Named ESPN The Magazine First-Team Academic All-American
6/11/2010 9:46:50 AM
NEW HAVEN, Conn. - Southern Connecticut State University senior gymnast Sarah Darst (Tampa, Fla.) has been recognized once again for an outstanding collegiate career in the classroom, on the mat and in the community. Darst has been named a First-Team ESPN The Magazine Academic All-American in the At-Large category by the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA). She was a Second-Team ESPN The Magazine Academic All-American in 2009.Competing in arguably the most difficult category, Darst was in contention with Division II and Division III female student-athletes from across the nation participating in 13 different sports - bowling, crew, fencing, field hockey, golf, gymnastics, ice hockey, lacrosse, rifle, skiing, swimming, tennis and water polo for this honor. Only 16 student-athletes were named First-Team Academic All-Americans.
An exercise science/human performance major who carries a 3.95 grade point average,
Darst enjoyed an outstanding campaign in 2010 both athletically and academically. She qualified for the USA Gymnastics Collegiate Nationals and helped the Owls to a runner-up finish at the ECAC Championships.
Academically, she was selected as an Academic All-American by USA Gymnastics and was named the ECAC Scholar-Athlete of the Year for the third consecutive season.
A team captain, Darst is a four-time qualifier at the National Championships and has also been recognized by the National Association of Collegiate Gymnastics Coaches/Women for her efforts in the classroom multiple times in her career.
Darst was also recognized this year as the Athletic Department Senior Female Scholar-Athlete Award winner, as well as a University Service Award winner (one of only two selected) for her contributions to the community. Darst was also recognized by the Connecticut Department of Higher Education for her community outreach efforts.
She is also a two-time First-Team Academic All-District honoree by CoSIDA.