SCAC Names 2024 Woman of the Year Finalists

SUWANEE, Ga. -- The Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference today announced the seven finalists for the 2024 SCAC Woman of the Year award. The award recognizes the conference's senior female student-athlete who has best distinguished herself throughout her collegiate career in the areas of academic achievement, athletic excellence and service and leadership. Past Winners

Member schools were permitted to submit two nominations if at least one of the nominees was a woman of color or international student-athlete.

This year's finalists include: Samantha Thiele of Austin College, Madeline Vacula of Centenary College, Kendall Accetta of Colorado College, Johnna Campbell of Southwestern University, Mallarie Munson of University of St. Thomas, Sydney Ouellette of Texas Lutheran University and Brette Thornton of Trinity University.

To be nominated, student-athletes must have completed intercollegiate eligibility in her primary sport by the end of the 2024 spring season, received her undergraduate degree prior to the conclusion of the summer 2024 term and had a minimum cumulative grade-point average of 2.500 (4.000 scale) with the noted exception due to COVID-19 pandemic. A student-athlete who received an extension waiver or a season of competition/participation waiver in her primary sport due to cancellation of a 2020 and/or 2021 athletics season or championship may be nominated for the 2024 Woman of the Year, provided she otherwise satisfies nomination criteria.

The 2024 Southern Collegiate Athletic Woman of the Year will be announced on August 1st.

Scroll below to read a quick bio on each of the seven finalists:

     
Samantha Thiele, Austin College
Women's Swimming

• English major with a 3.93 GPA (Graduated Summa Cum Laude)
• SCAC Swimming & Diving Elite 19 Award Winner (2024)
• Four-Time SCAC Academic Honor Roll Honoree (2021-24)
• Austin College Dean's List (2021-24)
• Temple Endowed Scholarship for Outstanding Student in Education (2024)
• Lois Jenkins Scholarship for Outstanding Student in English (2023)
• Phi Beta Kappa (2024)
• Chi Alpha Sigma (2024)
• Alpha Chi Delta (2023)
• Sigma Tau Delta (2022)
• Alpha Lambda Delta (2022)
• CSC Academic All-District Swimming Team (2023, 2024)
• Gene Day Most Outstanding Female Athlete - Austin College (2022, 2023, 2024)
• Hannah Award - Women's Swimming Most Valuable Player (2022, 2023, 2024)
• 14 Austin College Swimming Records (10 Individual, 4 Relay)
• 10-time All-SCAC Honoree (2021-24)
• Three-time SCAC Champion (2023 - 100-Backstroke; 2024 - 100-Backstroke, 200-Backstroke)
• Three-time First Team All-American (2024 - 100-Backstoke, 200-Backstoke, 200-IM)
• Two-time SCAC Meet Record Holder (2024 - 100-Backstroke, 200-Backstroke)
• Three-time SCAC Open Record Holder (2024 - 100-Backstroke, 200-Backstroke, 200-IM)
• SCAC Character and Community Athlete of the Week (2023)
• Two-time SCAC Swimmer of the Week (2023, 2024) 
• Swim Team Captain (2024)
• Austin College SAAC President (2024)
• Popcorn Fundraiser (2024)
• Peer Writing Tutor (2024)
• Job Coach for Creative Achievements (2024)
• Peer Mentor Ambassador (2023)

      
Madeline Vacula, Centneary College
Women's Swimming & Track & Field

• Biochemistry major with a 4.00 GPA (Graduated Summa Cum Laude)
• Three-Time SCAC Academic Honor Roll Honoree (2022-24)
• Centenary College Dean's List (2022-24)
• CSC Academic All-District, Women's Swimming (2024)
• CSC Academic All-District, Women's Track & Field (2023)
• Organic Chemistry Award (2023)
• American Society of Anesthesiologists Presenter (2023)
• Three-time All-SCAC Honoree (2022-2023)
• SCAC Champion (1,650-Yard Freestyle, 2023)
• SCAC Swimmer of the Week (2022)
• Centenary Student-Athlete of the Year (2023)
• Peer Learning Concultant (2022-24)
• Chi Omega Fraternity (2022-24)
• Volunteeer at Holy Angels (2023)
• Holy Angels 5K (2023)
• Geaux Bald 5K/10K (2023)
• Centenary Book Bazaar (2021-23)
• Public Relations Officer for Chemistry Club (2023-24)
• Maroon Jackets (2023-24)
• Student Ambassador (2022)
• Fit Center Manager (2023-24)
• Lifeguard (2022-24)
• The Big Event (2022)

      
Kendall Accetta, Colorado College
Women's Cross Country/Track & Field

• Double major in Political Science and English with a 3.95 GPA
• Seven-Time SCAC Academic Honor Roll Honoree (2021-24)
• CSC Academic All-American (2024)
• CSC Academic All-District (2023, 2024)
• Hohback Award Winner (2024)
• Adelaide Bender Reville Award Honoree (2023, 2024)
• Frank Krustzke Senior Project Award (2024)
• Five-time All-SCAC Track & Field Honoree - (2021-2024)
• Two-time SCAC Track Athlete of the Year Winner (2022, 2023)
• First Team Track & Field All-American (2022 - 3,000-Meter Steeplechase)
• Second Team Track & Field All-American (2024 - 3,000-Meter Steeplechase) 
• Four-time SCAC Track & Field Individual Champion (2022 - 1,500-Meters, 3,000-Steeplechase; 2024 - 1,500-Meters, 3,000-Steeplechase)
• SCAC Track & Field Team Champion (2024)
• Two-time Colorado College Track & Field Program Record Holder (3,000-Meter Steeplechase, 5,000-Meters) 
• Three-time SCAC Track Athlete of the Week (2022, 2024)
• Three-time NCAA All-West Track Region Team (2022, 2023, 2024)
• Three-time All-SCAC Cross Country Honoree (2020-21, 2021, 2023)
• SCAC Cross Country Runner of the Year (2023)
• SCAC Cross Country Individual Champion (2023)
• Three-time SCAC Cross Country Team Champion (2020-21, 2021, 2023)
• Three-Time SCAC Cross Country Runner of the Week Honoree (2021, 2022, 2023)
• Laura Golden Award Winner - Colorado College Most Senior Female Athlete (2024)
• Three-time Colorado College Track & Field Captain (2022-2024)
• Three-time Colorado College Cross Coutnry Captain (2021-2023)
• Admissions Ambassador (2022-2024)
• SAAC Officer - Co-Community Engagement Committee (2023-2024) 
• SAAC Representative (2021-2023)
• TESLA Education Mentorship Club (2022-24)
• Junior Class Representative (2021-2022)
• Residentail Advisor (2020-2022)
• Outdoor Education Leader (2022-2023)
• New Student Orientation Leader (2022, 2023)
• Special Olympics Field Day (2023, 2024)

Johnna Campbell, Southwestern University
Women's Soccer

• Mathematics major with a minor in Physics with a 3.44 GPA
• Two-Time SCAC Academic Honor Roll Honoree (2022, 2023)
• Three-time First Team All-SCAC Goalkeeper (2021, 2022, 2023) 
• All-SCAC Honorable Mention Goalkeeper (2020-21)
• All-SCAC Freshman Team Goalkeeper (2020-21)
• SCAC All-Tournament Team (2023)
• Four-time SCAC Defensive Player of the Week (2020-22)  
• Southwestern Women's Soccer Program Record Holder for Career Shutouts (26)
• EQUIP (SU) (2020-2024)
• Soar Leader (CCPD) (2024)
• Mathematical Association of America (2023) 
• SOAR Attendee (2021)
• Faculty-Student Researcher (2021)

Mallarie Munson, University of St. Thomas
Softball

• Bachelor's Degree in Psychology & Masters in Applied Sport & Performance Psychology with a 3.63 GPA
• Four-Time SCAC Academic Honor Roll Honoree (2021-24)
• Four-time NFCA All-American Scholar Athlete (2021-2024)
• Four-time Softball Celt Award Recipient (2020-2023)
• Two-time SCAC All-Sportsmanship Team Honoree (2023, 2024)
• Two-Time All-SCAC Second Team Honoree (2021, 2022)
• Two-Time All-SCAC Honorable Mention Honoree (2023, 2024)
• SCAC Softball Team Champion (2023)
• SCAC Hitter of the Week (2022)
• First in St. Thomas Softball Program History to Reach 100 RBI & 100 Hits
• St. Thomas Softball Program Career Home Run Leader 
• Miracle League Langham Creek Family YMCA (2023-2024)
• Star of Hope (2022-2023)
• WUSA Softball Instructor (2022-2024)
• WUSA Camp Counselor (2022-2024)

Sydney Ouellette, Texas Lutheran University
Softball

• Businee Administration Major with a minor in Information Systems and a Master's in Accountancy with a 4.00 GPA
• Four-Time SCAC Academic Honor Roll Honoree (2021-24)
• Five-Time Texas Lutheran University President's List (2020-2024)
• Four-time NFCA All-American Scholar Athlete (2021-2024)
• Two-Time SCAC Softball Elite 19 Winner (2022, 2024)
• CSC Second Team Academic All-American (2023)
• CoSIDA Third Team Acadmic All-American (2022)
• Four-time CSC/CoSIDA Academic First Team All-District (2021, 2022, 2023, 2024)
• TLU Accounting Excellence Award Winner (2024)
• TLU Distinguished Student Leader (2023) 
• Alpha Lambda Delta (2020-2024)
• Alpha Chi (2023-2024)
• Delta Mu Delta (2021-2024)
• All-SCAC First Team (2024)
• Two-time All-SCAC Second Team (2021, 2022)
• All-SCAC Honorable Mention (2023)
• Three-time All-SCAC Tournament Team Honoree (2022, 2023, 2024)
• Two-time NFCA Second Team All-Region (2021, 2022)
• Four-time NCAA Regional All-Tournament Team (2021-2024)
• Super Regional Most OUtstanding Pitcher (2022)
• NCAA Super Regional All-Tournament Team (2022)
• Three-time SCAC Pitcher of the Week (2020, 2022, 2024)
• TLU Softball Program Career Leader in Saves (11) 
• Fourth All-Time in TLU Softball History in Wins (46)
• Four-time SCAC Softball Regular Season Champion (2021, 2022, 2023, 2024)
• Three-time SCAC Softball Tournamet Champion (2021, 2022, 2024)
• Athletes in Action (2021-2024)
• SAAC Representative (2021-2024)
• Texas Society of Certified Public Accountants (2022-2023)
• Argent Court Assisted Living (2022-2023)
• University Work-Study (2021-2024)

Brette Thornton, Trinity University
Women's Volleyball

• Accounting major with a minor in Sports Management with a 3.92 GPA
• Six-Time SCAC Academic Honor Roll Honoree (2019-24)
• Four-time Trinity University Dean's List Honoree (Fall - 2019-2021; Spring 2022)
• Presidential Award of Excellence (2023)
• Beta Gamma Sigma (2023-2024)
• Two-time CSC Academic All-District (2022, 2023)
• Outstanding Junior Accounting Scholar Award (2022)
• Second-place Certiport Microsoft Office Specialist Texas State Championship (2023)
• KPMG Global Advantage Attendee (2022)
• All-SCAC First Team (2023)
• AVCA Honorable Mention All-American (2023)
• AVCA First Team All-Region (2023)
• Four-time SCAC Regular Season Champion (2019, 2021, 2022, 2023)
• Three-time SCAC Tournament Champion (2019, 2021, 2023)
• SCAC All-Sportsmanship Team Honoree (2023)
• SCAC Offensive Player of the Week (2023)
• NCAA National Runner-up (2022)
• NCAA Third-Place (2019)
• Four-time NCAA Quarterfinalist (2019, 2021, 2022, 2023)
• East West Battle All-Tournament Team (2023)
• Two-time National Strength and Conditioning Association All-American (2023, 2024) 
• Two-time Trinity Strength and Conditioning Athlete of the Month (2021, 2023)
• Sports Management Department Graduate Assistant (2024)
• Propelling our Profession (2024)
• Trinity University Sports Information Department Assistant (2019-2024)
• Trinity University Catholic Student Group (2020-2023)
• San Antonio Sports Volunteer (2021-2022)
• NCAA Divsion I Women's Basketball Tournament Volunteer (2021)
• Residential Assistant (2020-2021)
• Street 2 Feet Volunteer (2021)