Kutztown's Donnini, Knecht and Verdes named WGCA All-American Scholars

Kutztown University women's golf was represented by seniors Olivia Donnini (Wapwallopen, Pa./Crestwood), Cecelia Knecht (North Charleston, S.C./Fort Dorchester) and Alexis Verdes (Oak Ridge, N.J./Jefferson Township) on the listing of 2022-23 Women's Golf Coaches Association (WGCA) All-American Scholars, the organization recently announced.

A total of 1,423 women's collegiate golfers from 384 programs were recognized with All-American Scholar accolades. To be eligible for the All-American Scholar list, student-athletes must have a cumulative grade point average of 3.50 or higher, be an amateur and rostered through the conclusion of the their team's season and have played in at least 50% of their team's competitive rounds for a given season.

Donnini and Knecht are four-time All-American Scholars, while Verdes earned the award for the second time in her career.

Donnini played in all 17 rounds for the Golden Bears this past season, averaging 91.35 per round, third best on the team. She won the Ursinus Spring Invitational with a season best round of 82, March 30, while posting a top five and two top 10 finishes. The Wapwallopen, Pa., native graduated summa cum laude with a degree in political science (paralegal studies) in May.

Knecht once again paced Kutztown in the scoring department with a team low average of 85.75 across 16 rounds, capping a career that saw the senior from North Charleston, S.C., average 86.2 over 50 rounds. Knecht claimed her lone win of the season in her final home tournament, the Kutztown Spring Invitational on April 16, with a 10-over par 80. She also led the team in top five (four) and top 10 (five) finishes. Knecht received her degree in biology (molecular/microbiology/cell biology) in May with magna cum laude honors.

Verdes, from Oak Ridge, N.J., set new career-highs in rounds played (10) and scoring average (109.90) during her senior campaign with the Maroon and Gold. Verdes graduated magna cum laude with a degree in marketing this past May.

With three All-American Scholars in 2022-23, Kutztown has now had multiple honorees in six of the last seven seasons.