Posen’s softball team tops the nation in GPA

September 1, 2022October 12, 2022 Editor

The Posen Vikings softball team topped the nation in grade point average and earned a National award from the NFCA. They were coached by Wayne Karsten. Players included (from left) Shelby Donajkowski, Madison Kamyszek, Abi Schellie, Elizabeth Romel, Ella Szatkowski, Ava Wesner, Sophie Romel, Makayla Kamyszek, Halie Konieczny and Faith Cousins. (Photo collage by Richard Lamb)

Posen’s varsity softball team is the cream of the crop when it comes to achievement in the classroom. That is according to a national coaches’ association that ranked all the high schools in the United States. The rankings were compiled by the National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) in association with sports equipment manufacturer Easton and announced September 1.

Posen High School and Joliet Catholic Academy (Ill.) posted the No.1 GPAs amongst the unweighted and weighted high school categories, respectively, as the NFCA revealed its Easton Top 10 GPAs for high school programs. Additionally, 1,793 prep student-athletes captured Easton/NFCA All-America Scholar-Athlete honors for the 2021-22 academic year.

Under the guidance of coach Wayne Karsten, Posen recorded a 3.996 GPA with nine Vikings taking home All-America Scholar-Athlete recognition. The All-American Scholar-Athletes who made the individual list were Faith Cousins, Madison Kamyszek, Makayla Kamyszek, Halie Konieczny, Elizabeth Romel, Sophie Romel, Abi Schellie, Ella Szatkowski and Ava Wesner.

In addition, Shelby Donajkowski, and exchange students Sara Cecconello, Sofi Ricci and Carlota Julia contributed to the overall score.

The rankings and honors recognize the academic prowess of softball teams across the Association’s high school membership. 1,064 student-athletes, who earned a 3.5 GPA or higher, were awarded in weighted and 729 more in unweighted.

Team GPAs and scholar-athletes are submitted by member head coaches.

Top-10 Teams

High School (Unweighted)

Posen HS (Mich.) – 3.996; 2. Belgreen HS (Ala.) – 3.954; 3. North Davidson HS (N.C.) – 3.888; 4. Rock Creek HS (Kan.) – 3.872; 5. LeRoy HS (Ill.) – 3.870; 6. West Monroe HS (La.) – 3.863; 7. Louisa County HS (Va.) – 3.855; 8. Elysian Fields HS (Texas) – 3.841; 9. Rochester Adams HS (Mich.

) – 3.807; 10. Polk County HS (Neb.) – 3.801.

High School (Weighted)
1. Joliet Catholic (Ill.) – 4.334; 2. River Hill HS (Md.) – 4.300; 3. Cypress Woods HS (Texas) – 4.286; 4. St. Albans HS (W.Va.) – 4.240; 5. Bakersfield Christian (Calif.) – 4.170; 6. West Henderson HS (N.C.) – 4.121; 7. H.L. Richards HS (Ill.) – 4.102; 8. South Stanly HS (N.C) – 4.0947; 9. Windham HS (N.H.) – 4.088; 10. Apex Friendship HS (N.C.) – 4.034.

The NFCA (National Fastpitch Coaches Association) is the professional organization for fastpitch softball coaches. Known for its highly-regarded high Easton/NFCA Top-10 Team GPA and All-America Scholar-Athlete awards, the NFCA also educates and supports softball coaches on a variety of different levels: from podcasts to legal counsel, to in-person events and National Convention.