GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (GRPS) -- The Union Redhawks girls soccer team has received the Michigan High School Soccer Coaches Association (MIHSSCA) Team Academic Award, earning Team Academic All-State honors for exceptional achievement in the classroom.
To qualify for the honor, a varsity soccer team must maintain a combined grade point average of 3.30 or higher on a 4.0 scale. The award celebrates programs that successfully balance athletic achievement with outstanding academic performance.
Head coach Juan Zavala said the recognition reflects the dedication of student-athletes across Grand Rapids Public Schools.
"Our entire district team got a certificate for academic excellence," Zavala said. "Every school in the state is eligible. I want to highlight that GRPS is holding its academic standards and surpassing them."
Leading the way was senior Isabela DeLeon-Magana, a three-year varsity player and valedictorian at Southwest Middle High School. DeLeon exemplifies the commitment to academic excellence that helped the team earn statewide distinction.
The following scholar-athletes were part of the Team Academic All-State roster: Samara Bazan-Hernandez (11), Sophia Beckwith (9), Nataly Berduo-Bravo (12), Samantha Bouwman (11), Emersen Brower (11), Aracelle Chales-Jeronimo (11), Isabela DeLeon-Magana (12), Skylar DeWild (10), Ava Doornbos (9), Madi Ferguson (12), Vivian Guikema (11), Amelia Groen (11), Esther Kim (11), Victoria Kim (9), Ella Mutch (9), Marley Spitler (12), Cadence Sharda (10), Tahalea Talbert (9), Zaida Viveros (10), Taylor Wetherbee (12), Taylor Winkelman (11), and Kate Wisser (11).
This achievement reinforces the mission of Redhawk Athletics to develop scholar-athletes who excel both on the field and in the classroom.
Congratulations to the Redhawks girls soccer team on earning this well-deserved statewide honor.
