The National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) has recognized the 2016 Bishop O'Connell High School softball team for its excellence in the classroom for the 2015-16 academic school year. O'Connell ranks 15th nationally among the NFCA's High School (Weighted) All-Academic Teams, with a grade point average of 3.978.
Long recognized as one of the country's premiere softball programs, this recognition speaks volumes about the softball team's success both on the playing field and in the classroom. Only one other school in the state of Virginia – St. Catherine's School in Richmond – is listed in the Top 41 posted by the NFCA on their website in the weighted grade point average category.
In individual accolades, 14 O'Connell players were named NFCA All-America Scholar-Athletes: Angela Cottini, Olivia Giaquinto, Leah Hammes, Elizabeth Hoeymans, Mary Catherine Hurley, Lyndsay Flippin, Julia Jones, Caitlin Jorae, Patty Maye Ohanian, Sophia Rzonca, Amanda Saffelle, Kathryn Sandercock, Jenna Spille and Cora Wack. Each of these student-athletes achieved this distinction by compiling 3.5 GPAs or better in the classroom.
Also, this past summer, the team had three players named to the NFCA All-South Region Team: Olivia Giaquinto, Patty Maye Ohanian and Kathryn Sandercock – the first step towards gaining All-American recognition on the national level.
The Knights had two players named All-Americans by the NFCA, with Patty Maye Ohanian earning NFCA 2nd Team All-American distinction and Kathryn Sandercock garnering NFCA 3rd Team accolades. Ohanian was a 3rd Team All-American honoree in 2015.