by Brooklyn Sherrill, SDA Communications Student Intern
Balance -- it is all about balance.
That was the resonating theme among student-athletes who hold a 4.0 GPA (or better) at Arizona State University. The talent within Sun Devil athletic teams is undeniably impressive.
Sun Devil student-athletes are diverse in their academics and athletics, and have achieved recognition from the NCAA, Arizona State University, and their families and friends. Obtaining a college education is a difficult commitment that requires time and passion, and adding athletics does not make the situation easier.
Becoming a Division I athlete is a dream many do not attain, but for those who do, the rewards are endless.
Madison Stark, a defender on the soccer team, credited her family for many of her successes but does not hesitate to address the large impact her team has had on her life both athletically and academically. She emphasizes the importance of a family, team balance.
"My family me helped me to where I am today; but also, my teammates. I see them everyday and I watch them excel on the field and within the classroom."
Congrats to Madison Stark on being named to the CoSIDA Academic All-District First Team! https://t.co/YFtwmF9mF5
— Sun Devil Soccer (@ASUSoccer) October 29, 2016
Many Sun Devil athletes have a bond that influences successes for the team and individuals. These student-athletes are able to commit to each other and their university through academic and athletic achievements. This unique bond pushes student-athletes to success and balance, and that is something many athletes do not anticipate as they dream of a Division I collegiate career.
Each season, Sun Devil athletes face a new challenge in life, but one constant remains: the need for balance.
CJ Albertson, currently in his final season as a member of the cross country team, understands the need for athletic and academic harmony.
"It is about sticking with what needs to be done and then moving forward. As an athlete so much time is put into athletics, and you have to achieve what is necessary in academics, but you cannot put in the extra effort. You need to constantly have balance and know what is necessary to succeed in each area."
Holding a 4.0 GPA is an intense responsibility that impacts all aspects of a collegians life. Athletes must find a comfortable balance that helps them attain athletic and academic success while finding time to enjoy life.
Despite the athletic and academic challenges an athlete at Arizona State faces, the experience is truly irreplaceable. As an upperclassmen, Stark is able to reflect on her time as a collegiate athlete.
"Being a Sun Devil athlete is so awesome. It's difficult to realize how wonderful this opportunity is until it's done. I'm only a junior, but time has gone by so fast already. It sounds cheesy, but looking back, you have to enjoy every minute of it because one game, practice or exam will be gone before you know it."
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Below are the biographies for 17 student-athletes at Arizona State University who hold 4.0 GPAs:
C.J. ALBERTSON (MEN'S CROSS COUNTRY/TRACK & FIELD)
CJ Albertson's journey as a Sun Devil at Arizona State can only be described in one way: remarkable. In the summer of 2016, Albertson married Chelsey Totten, also a cross country athlete for the Sun Devils, but that is not the only reason he is owed a congratulations. Throughout his collegiate athletic career, Albertson held a 4.0 GPA while achieving high standings in Cross Country. During his junior season, Albertson graduated in just three years with his bachelor's of science in exercise and wellness, and is now pursuing his master's in physical education during his senior season -- which he plans to earn by the spring of 2017. On the track in 2015, CJ won the Pac-12 vs. Big Ten Invitational for the 3K steeplechase event while also earning his first trip to the NCAA Outdoor Track & Field Championships in the event. He is currently ranked in the top-10 on the ASU all-time list for the mile and 3K steeplechase.
KAYLEE ANTILL (WOMEN'S TRACK AND FIELD)
Kaylee Antill, a redshirt freshman, has achieved high honors within both her academics and athletic career. Antill, a 2015 New Balance National Outdoor Discus champion, came to Arizona State from Tri-Valley High School in Dresden, Ohio. Her accomplishments during her time at Tri-Valley ranged from being a 2015 OHSAA Ohio State discus champion to holding school records in discus and shot put while holding the position of Vice President of National Honor Society. Kaylee will begin competing in throwing events during the 2017 season.
CORINNE BELKOFF (GYMNASTICS)
Corinne Belkoff, a high-achieving Arizona native, has not let her athletic career hinder her academic success. Belkoff attended Catalina Foothills High School where she was a part of National Honor Society and achieved over a 4.0 GPA. Corinne was a highly accomplished gymnast at Arizona Dynamics Gymnastics & Cheer before competing all-around as a Sun Devil. During a 2016 meet against Penn State, Belkoff scored her career best on vault and achieved her best all-around score of 39.100. Outside of being a Gym Devil, Belkoff is part of the Barrett Honors College while studying Economics in the W. P. Carey School of Business. As a 4.0 student-athlete, Corinne Belkoff will begin her sophomore season with many athletic and academic achievements already completed.
CODY BRAZEAL (MEN'S CROSS COUNTRY/TRACK & FIELD)
Currently a distance competitor for the Sun Devil Cross Country team, Cody Brazeal has made academic and athletic strides at Arizona State. Before joining the Sun Devils, Brazeal attended Buchanan High School in California where he earned his team a first all-conference and all-valley honor as well as being nominated Athlete of the Year. As a redshirt sophomore in 2015, Brazeal finished second, a personal best, at the the ASU Cross Country Invitational. Before beginning his redshirt junior season, Cody Brazeal, along with six other Sun Devils, was named to the First-Team All-Academic list. This was a well-deserved achievement for the 4.0 Biological Studies student-athlete as he continues his cross country career.
MADISON DAVIS (WOMEN'S CROSS COUNTRY)
Madison Davis came to Arizona State after graduating from Seattle University with a degree in Mathematics and Environmental Studies. Davis, a redshirt senior, is currently a distance competitor on the Sun Devil Cross Country team. Davis has competed in many Western Athletic Conference championships as well as University of Washington Invitationals. Her achievements range from being a 800m runner-up in the WAC Outdoor Championships to holding a 4.0 GPA as a student-athlete at ASU. Madison is currently pursuing a degree in Geographic Information Systems and will be competing for the cross country team this season.
VANESSA DAVIS (WOMEN'S TRACK AND FIELD)
Arizona native Vanessa Davis, a Biomedical Engineering major, was recruited by all Ivy League schools before choosing to become part of the Sun Devil Track and Field team. While attending Desert Vista high school, Davis was a Youth World Trials Qualifier in 2013, and a Junior National Championship Qualifier in both 2014 and 2015. She currently holds pole vault records in the D1 Championship meet (2014), Chandler Rotard Invite (2014), Peoria Invite (2014), Aztec Invite (2013) and the Becky Mathews Freshman Showcase (2012). Vanessa currently holds a 4.0 GPA and desires to attend medical school upon completion of her athletic and academic career at Arizona State.
ANDY GANDARA (WRESTLING)
Andres (Andy) Gandara is currently a sophomore on the Sun Devil wrestling team. He attended Cibola High School in Somerton, Arizona before coming to Arizona State. From his freshman to senior year in high school, Gandara placed in the state wrestling tournament. During his senior year, Gandara finished with a victory in AIA State Championships and a first place finish in the Arizona USA Wrestling National Qualifier where he wrestled at the Junior 152 weight class. Andres finished his high school career with a 163-31 record and was named Yuma Rotary Player of the Year. Gandara currently holds a 4.0 GPA as a Biomedical Engineering student-athlete.
Shoutout to our own @theandygandara for excelling in the classroom! https://t.co/IywNWOiJzA #SunDevilScholars
— Sun Devil Wrestling (@ASUWrestling) October 28, 2016
KEELEY GORMLEY (SOCCER)
Keeley Gormley, a junior midfielder is a business major in the W.P. Carey School of Business. Gormley is originally from Calgary, Alberta, Canada and was on team that placed third at the 2012 Canadian Club Nationals, team being indoor provincial champions in 2013, and individually playing during every minute of the Canada Summer games in Quebec.
ROSEMARY "ROSIE" HUCK (WATER POLO)
A center for the water polo team, Rosemary (Rosie) Huck was one of two freshman to have 12 goals and 12 steals in a season. Huck is originally from Manchester, England where she attended Manchester High School For Girls and competed with the Great Britain National Team. In 2014, Huck and her team were victorious at the Commonwealth Championships as well as the European Water Polo Championships in Budapest. Huck was the youngest member of the team, but her participation did not go unnoticed as she is he pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Geography.
SIERRA IRVIN (WOMEN'S TRACK AND FIELD)
Sierra Irvin, a sprinter, currently holds a 4.0 GPA while also achieving top times in her collegiate athletic career. As a high school athlete in Hingham, Massachusetts, Irvin set ten school records for a variety of events. In 2014, Irvin broke a school record by placing first at the 2014 Outdoor New England Championships in the 4x400 with a time of 3:52.65. Sierra's top event is the 400m which she is a four-time Division State Champion and three-time All-State Champion. During the 2016 season, her top time in the 400m was 55.49.
JENNA MAACK (WOMEN'S CROSS COUNTRY/TRACK & FIELD)
Now a senior, Jenna Maack is a successful distance runner and academic scholar. In 2015, Maack was awarded a Pac-12 All-Academic first team honor where she held the second highest GPA of the athletes. Maack, an Arizona native, became a Sun Devil after graduating from Desert Vista. She holds the school record in the 4x800m relay, which was set at the Baldy Castillo Invite in 2015. Maack was a strong competitor in the 2015 Pac-12 Championships, and achieved her personal record at the Dave Murray Invitational where she placed ninth overall.
J.P. NELSON (MEN'S CROSS COUNTRY/TRACK & FIELD)
J.P. (John) Nelson, a physics major and a redshirt sophomore, came to Arizona State from Eau Claire, Wisconsin where he attended Eau Claire Memorial high school -- taking 10 AP classes while earning a 4.0 GPA -- and was recognized as a Track & Field MVP in 2012. He also qualified for both the WIAA Cross Country and Track & Field State Tournament while in high school. From being a National Merit Scholar to a Cross Country team captain in high school, Nelson has transitioned remarkably to Arizona State by earning a Pac-12 All-Academic first team honors with a 4.0 GPA. At age 15, Nelson scored a perfect 36 on the ACT and a near-perfect score on the SAT. He is currently in the Barrett Honors College.
RYAN NORMAND (MEN'S CROSS COUNTRY)
Ryan Normand, a redshirt sophomore on the Sun Devils Cross Country team, attended Corona Del Sol high school in Tempe and was recognized as the All-City Champion in the 3200m while holding the position of team captain. After redshirting his freshman year, Normand finished in fifth place at the Dave Murray Invitational with a time of 21:50.00, and was later awarded first team honors on the Pac-12 All-Academic team. He is currently pursuing a degree in Civic Engineering.
KELLY SCHOCK (WOMEN'S TRACK AND FIELD)
Kelly Schock, an Arizona native, came to Arizona State to major in nutrition after setting records in the 1600m, 3200m and 4x800m at Pinnacle High School. Lettering eleven times and earning five varsity letters, a majority in track and field and cross country, Schock was dedicated to her athletics and academics at Pinnacle. She has continued to succeed at ASU.
MADISON STARK (SOCCER)
Madison Stark, a junior on the soccer team, is originally from Claremont, Calif., and came to study broadcast journalism while pursuing a collegiate soccer career as a defender. As a freshman, Stark scored the game-winning goal at the Territorial Cup, and also started in all (22) games totaling to 1,984 minutes of playing time, more than any player on the team. In 2015, Stark was named to the Pac-12's All-Academic first team, an honor only two Sun Devils achieved. Over the course of two seasons, Stark has played and started in 30 of 40 games with the one game miss being an injury.
KEYASIA TIBBS (WOMEN'S TRACK AND FIELD)
As a senior on the Sun Devils Track & Field team, Kayasia Tibbs has made her mark at Arizona State. Originally from Atlanta, Tibbs came to the Sun Devils after spending her freshman season at the University of North Carolina, where she was an Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) finalist in the triple jump as well as being named to the ACC-Academic team. In her 2015 indoor season, Tibbs set a school record in both the indoor and outdoor triple jump. Throughout 2015, Tibbs achieved three first place finishes in the event, and ultimately finished fifth at the Pac-12 Championships. She earned a spot at her first NCAA Championship, placing 14th for a Second-Team All-American honor. She will be graduating with a degree in fashion design and merchandising from the Herberger Institute.
ALEXANDRA WILLIAMS (WOMEN'S TRACK AND FIELD)
Alexandra Williams came to Arizona State from Ham Lake, Minnesota. She will enter her second season as a hurdler for the track & field squad. While in high school, she was named All-Conference for 100m hurdles in the Northwest Suburban Conference. Throughout her high school career, she competed in three consecutive state tournaments, finishing top eight or better. Besides her athletic achievements, Williams was also recognized as an Academic All-State recipient during all four years.