Six Standout Fall Student-Athletes Chosen Scholar-Athletes

Six Standout Fall Student-Athletes Chosen Scholar-Athletes

BOSTON — Six of America East’s top student-athletes who have demonstrated excellence both athletically and academically are the America East 2015 Fall Scholar-Athletes as announced Thursday afternoon by the conference office. All-Americans Paula Heuser (field hockey) from University at Albany and Laura Rose Donegan (women's cross country) from University of New Hampshire headline the honorees and are joined by the Great Danes' Laini Leindecker (volleyball) and Alexa Schneider (women's soccer), University of Maine's Jesse Orach (men's cross country) and UMBC's Billy Heavner (men's soccer).

2015 Fall America East Scholar-Athletes
Paula Heuser, Albany, Jr. - Field Hockey

  • Has a 3.83 GPA in business administration.
  • Second-straight year she's been selected as the field hockey Scholar-Athlete.
  • Was an America East and NFHCA All-Academic selection for the second-straight year.
  • Tabbed a first-team All-American for the second-straight year. 
  • America East Midfielder of the Year for the third-straight year.

Laura Rose Donegan, New Hampshire, Sr. - Women's Cross Country

  • Has a perfect 4.00 GPA in political science.
  • Recipient of the NCAA Elite 90 & America East Elite 18 Awards for excellence in the classroom.
  • America East All-Academic selection.
  • Finished 30th at the NCAA Cross Country Championship to earn All-America status.
  • Placed second at the America East Championship to garner all-conference honors.

Billy Heavner, UMBC, Sr. - Men's Soccer

  • Has a 3.82 GPA in financial economics.
  • Is the reigning America East Male Scholar-Athlete of the Year.
  • Chosen a CoSIDA first-team Academic All-American this fall.
  • America East All-Academic selection.
  • Second-team All-Conference goalkeeper in 2015. 

Jesse Orach, Jr., Maine - Men’s Cross Country

  • Has a 3.95 GPA majoring in chemical engineering.
  • Received the America East Elite 18 Award in men's cross country this season.
  • America East All-Academic selection.
  • Placed fourth at the America East Cross Country Championship, earning first-team All-Conference accolades.

Alexa Schneider, Jr., Albany - Women's Soccer

  • Has a 3.83 GPA as a human biology major.
  • America East All-Academic selection.
  • Five-time Dean's List honoree.
  • First-team All-Conference selection, the first Great Dane to earn first-time honors in consecutive seasons.
  • Led Albany to its first-ever America East women's soccer title. 

Laini Leindecker, Jr., Albany - Volleyball

  • Has a 3.70 GPA in human biology.
  • Two time America East All-Academic selection.
  • 2015 America East Co-Player of the Year.
  • Two-time America East All-Conference selection at outside hitter.

The Scholar-Athletes were members of teams in the six championship sports which America East sponsored in the fall season including men’s and women’s cross country, men’s and women’s soccer, field hockey and volleyball. Member institutions of the America East Conference for the 2015 fall season included Albany, Binghamton University, University of Hartford, Maine, UMBC, UMass Lowell, New Hampshire, Stony Brook University and University of Vermont. University of California, University of the Pacific, Stanford University and UC Davis were associate members in field hockey.

Nominees were put forward by their institution, which could nominate up to one student-athlete per sport. Then, the conference's Student-Athlete Engagement committee chose an honoree in each of the six fall championship sports. Each America East Scholar-Athlete was a starter or prominent reserve and carries a minimum cumulative grade-point average of 3.50. They will automatically be eligible for the America East Female or Male Scholar-Athlete of the Year award to be announced this summer.

America East is proud to have one of most comprehensive academic awards programs in the country. In addition to the Scholar-Athlete program, Presidential Scholar-Athlete awards are bestowed to student-athletes who graduate with a 3.75 GPA. The Elite 18 program recognizes elite students while All-Academic teams comprised of student-athletes that excel both academically and athletically are chosen in each of the conference’s 18 sports. The conference also recognizes all student-athletes who achieve at least a 3.0 GPA on its Academic Honor Roll, with those achieving a 3.50 average or better receiving Commissioner’s Honor Roll status. Finally, the Academic Cup  is presented to the institution whose student-athletes post the highest grade-point average during that academic year.

About America East: The America East provides its member schools and their athletic programs a platform upon which student-athletes can achieve both collegiate and life success through the promotion and nurturing of athletic excellence, academic achievement and leadership, on and off the field.