WINONA, Minn. – As the Saint Mary's University softball team shifts its focus to the College World Series in Bloomington, Illinois, five standout student-athletes have also been recognized for their achievements off the field. 

The College Sports Communicators announced their Academic All-District teams, honoring players who excel in the classroom as well as on the diamond.

To qualify, student-athletes must maintain a GPA of at least 3.50 on a 4.0 scale, participate in at least 90 percent of their team's games, and play a meaningful role in team performance.
Sophomores Makayla Steffes and Megan McGinnis, juniors Abbie Stigler and Naleyah Bork, and senior Allison Ciero earned this prestigious academic distinction.

Steffes, who has had a dominant season, adds her first Academic All-District honor to a growing list of accolades including Conference Pitcher of the Year, Most Outstanding Pitcher of Super Regionals, Most Outstanding Player of Regionals, and NFCA All-Region IX honors. 

An undecided major with a 3.84 GPA, the Winona native has played in all 50 games this season, leading the team with a .427 batting average and a program-record 43 stolen bases. She also topped nearly every statistical category in the conference.

McGinnis, from Appleton, Wisconsin, earned her first academic honor with an impressive 3.95 GPA, double majoring in Psychology and Public Relations. She has started all but one game this season, holding the team's second-highest batting average at .401. 

She was also named to the NFCA First Team All-Region IX and was the Most Outstanding Player of the Super Regionals. Heading into the World Series, she leads all remaining players in total hits.

Stigler, a Public Relations and Digital Media major from Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin, picks up Academic All-District recognition for the second straight year. Holding a 3.72 GPA, she has started all 50 games at shortstop, tallying 25 RBIs and posting a .384 batting average. 

A member of both the All-Conference and Regionals All-Tournament teams, she's been a key contributor with 74 assists and a career-best .447 on-base percentage.

Bork, a versatile player from De Pere, Wisconsin, earned her first academic award with a 3.79 GPA as a Marketing major. She's played in 49 games, including six starts as a pitcher, notching three wins. 

Defensively, she's recorded 53 putouts and five assists in the outfield without committing an error. At the plate, Bork has driven in 30 runs with a .304 batting average and five home runs.

Ciero, a senior from Glen Ellyn, Illinois, caps off her collegiate career with her first Academic All-District honor. A Business Intelligence & Analytics and Accounting major with a 3.92 GPA, she's been a steady presence in right field, starting 49 games. 

Ciero has tallied 62 putouts, three assists, and a career-high .370 batting average, along with 50 hits and 17 RBIs. She also earned All-Conference recognition and was named to the NFCA Region IX Third Team.

While many members of the team met the GPA requirements, only five players could be selected for the honor. 

These five Cardinals now carry both academic and athletic momentum into the College World Series, which begins this Thursday in Bloomington, Illinois.