News Summary
Newberry College celebrates the achievements of its athletes who excel both academically and athletically. Several baseball players received accolades from the NCAA, while senior goalkeeper Mackenzie Dorr made the IWLCA All-Atlantic Region second team. Notably, athletes in track and field also earned recognition, showcasing the dedication and talent fostered at Newberry College. Their accomplishments reflect the institution’s commitment to promoting excellence in both academics and sports.
Newberry, South Carolina – Newberry College Athletes Excel with Academic and Athletic Achievements
Several Newberry College athletes have achieved significant recognition for their stellar performance both in the classroom and on the field, with a group of baseball players earning spots on the NCAA Division II College Sports Communicators Academic All-District Baseball Team. Kade Faircloth, Jesse Free, Hunter French, Brayden Gilson, and Wilson Wages have all demonstrated exceptional prowess as student-athletes, boasting impressive academic records alongside their athletic accomplishments.
To be eligible for the Academic All-District team, student-athletes must be at least sophomores, hold a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.50, and participate in either 90% of the team’s games or start in 66% of them. Pitchers were required to make a minimum of 17 appearances or pitch at least 35 innings.
Kade Faircloth, who recently graduated with a degree in Business Administration, made a strong impact at the plate, finishing the season with a batting average of .289, including 12 doubles, four triples, two home runs, and leading the team with a total of 38 RBIs. Jesse Free also graduated this year, earning a degree in Sports Management, and recorded the highest batting average on the team at .340, contributing a double, home run, and 10 RBIs to the team’s offensive efforts.
Pitcher Hunter French, with a degree in Exercise Science & Human Performance, made 19 appearances while starting in 10 games, accumulating one victory and two saves throughout the season. Wilson Wages, majoring in Psychology, ended the season with a batting average of .312, highlighted by five doubles, six triples, two home runs, and amassing 33 RBIs. Brayden Gilson, another Business Administration major, led the team with 20 appearances and recorded five saves alongside a 1-1 win-loss record.
In addition, senior goalkeeper Mackenzie Dorr made headlines by being selected to the IWLCA 2025 Division II All-Atlantic Region second team. Recognized for her excellence, Dorr was also a first-team All-South Atlantic Conference selection, earning back-to-back SAC Defensive Player of the Week awards during the final two weeks of the season. She led the conference with an impressive total of 193 saves and maintained a save percentage of .527, ranking fourth in goals against average at 10.22. Dorr contributed significantly to the team’s success, recording all 13 victories for the Wolves this season, giving her a career total of 30 wins and 443 saves, with a career save percentage of .463.
This outstanding performance by Dorr set new benchmarks in both single-season and school records, thus qualifying her for consideration for the national IWLCA All-American team, with final selections to be announced on May 25.
Track and Field Honors
Newberry College athletes also shone in the track and field arena, with Andrea Pascual Rivera, the SAC champion, along with top-scorer Irma Watson-Perez and high jumper Isabel Farup receiving All-Southeast Region honors from the United States Track and Field and Cross-Country Coaches Association.
Andrea Pascual Rivera stood out in the women’s hammer throw, securing the title at the South Atlantic Conference (SAC) with a remarkable throw of 51.08 meters (167 feet 7 inches), achieving this feat for the second time in her college career. Irma Watson-Perez delivered an impressive performance, placing second in the hammer throw, third in the discus, and sixth in the shot put during the SAC Outdoor Track and Field championships. Pascual Rivera’s performance ranked her as the third-best hammer thrower in the region, while Watson-Perez enjoyed the distinction of holding the best throw in the discus event.
High jumper Isabel Farup was tied as the third-best in her category within the region, showcasing the depth of talent among Newberry College athletes. All-Region honors were awarded to the top five individuals in each event and the top three relay teams, further highlighting the achievements of the school’s track and field program.
The accomplishments of these athletes reflect not only their hard work and dedication but also the commitment of Newberry College to promote academic and athletic success.
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Additional Resources
- Newberry Observer: Five Wolves Earn CSC Academic All-District Honors for Baseball
- Wikipedia: NCAA Division II
- Newberry Observer: Mackenzie Dorr Earns Second Team All-Region Honors
- Google Search: Mackenzie Dorr
- Newberry Observer: Watson-Perez, Pascual Rivera, and Farup Earn All-Southeast Region Status
- Google Scholar: Track and Field Honors
- ABC Columbia: Newberry’s Ciria Triplett Announces Retirement from Coaching
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Student-Athlete
Author: STAFF HERE NEWBERRY
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