Brighton, Mich. - Saint Mary's College Golf junior Colleen Hand (Royal Oak, MI) and Tennis junior Anna Gardner (Houston, TX) were recognized as a member of the Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) Academic Elite Award.
 
The Academic Elite Award was created to recognize exceptional academic achievement among student-athletes across the MIAA. Established by the MIAA Faculty Athletic Representatives, the Academic Elite Award will be presented annually to the male and female student-athlete in each sport with the highest cumulative grade point average. Honorees must have at least two years of varsity participation and hold junior or senior academic standing. In case of identical GPAs, multiple student-athletes may be honored in the same sport.
 
Hand, an accounting major, competed in 21 rounds for the Belles while posting seven rounds of 80 or lower including a season-low 78 at the MIAA Championships and the second MIAA Jamboree. Posted a season low 36-hole score of 161 at the Bulldog Classic in the fall. Was a member of the Belles NCAA Championship party and carded a 163 with rounds of 84-79. She finished her junior year with an 82.94 scoring average.
 
Gardner, a biology major, went 34-18 overall, ranking third on the team in wins, and was named All-MIAA Second Team for her performances this season. She went 14-12 in singles play but broke out as a stand out doubles player, going 20-6 at the number three spot. In doubles play, Gardner and her partner, sophomore Odessa Norton (Carmel, IN) started the season on a 10 match winning streak while also winning 18 of their first 19 matches. Gardner surpassed 100 career wins with her come from behind, third set victory at the number two singles position against Adrian College.
 
Hand was joined by Adrian's Rylie Yuhas, Olivet's Ella LaMothe, and Trine's Payton Ault, Natalie Kulka, Calley Ruff, and Rylee Smith.
 
Gardner was joined by Albion's Abigail Hubbard and Brenna Staley, Hope's Kaitlyn Stievater, Olivet's Rylee Lewis, and Trine's Emilee Bassett and Emma Beehler.