TRAFFORD, Pa. (pacathletics.org)-- Westminster senior Sophia Galietta (Bethel Park, Pa. | Bethel Park) and Waynesburg senior Benjamin White (Bluefield, Va. | Graham) were named the Presidents’ Athletic Conference (PAC) Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) Scholar-Athletes of the Month for October.
Each month, the SAAC groups at PAC member institutions are asked to nominate one male and one female student-athlete for PAC SAAC Scholar-Athlete of the Month consideration based on academic and athletic accomplishments. Nominees must be varsity team members in their respective sport and in their junior or senior year. Scholar-Athlete of the Month nominees must also have a cumulative grade-point average (GPA) of 3.0 or higher and be actively involved within their campus communities.
With her stellar defensive performance, Galietta led the Titans to a 5-2 October, clinching the No. 2 seed in the PAC Women’s Soccer Tournament. Galietta also tallied one goal and two assists on the month. With her consistent efforts this season, Galietta was voted 2023 PAC Defensive Player of the Year by the conference coaches.
The senior fine arts/psychology major maintains an impressive 3.976 GPA and has been named to the Dean's List six times, as well as the PAC Academic Honor Roll three times. Galietta is a member of the Westminster All-College Honors Program and has been the recipient of the Drinko Center Research Grant, as well as the Clara Bruhn Memorial Scholarship three times.
On campus, Galietta is a member of the SPARK (Strengthening Positivity and Reinforcing Kindness) Club, Lambda Sigma, Pi Sigma Pi, and Psi Chi academic honor societies. She is an active member of Westminster’s Student-Athlete Advisory Committee and has worked as both a peer tutor and a Titan Guide.
Female October honorable mention nominees included: Allegheny senior Julieta Schworm (soccer), Bethany senior Lynn Burton (volleyball), Franciscan graduate student Rani Hebert (volleyball), Geneva junior Kami Mummau (volleyball), Grove City junior Janel McCray (tennis), Waynesburg senior Kate James (soccer) and W&J junior Adrianna Sacramento (volleyball).
White helped the Yellow Jackets to a 4-3-2 record during the month of October, earning a No. 4 seed in the PAC Men’s Soccer Tournament. The senior forward had the lone goal in the 4-1 loss to Lancaster Bible on October 21 and added one assist in the 3-3 tie against Geneva on October 25. The senior captain was also named Waynesburg Athlete of the Week earlier this fall.
With an impressive 3.99 GPA, the biomedical science major has been named to the PAC Academic Honor Roll three times and was a College Sports Communicators Academic All-District Team selection in 2022.
On campus, White is involved in Fellowship of Christian Athletes leadership, as well as the Waynesburg Student Senate. He also is a student ambassador for the admissions department and works in the chemistry department.
Male October honorable mention nominees included: Allegheny senior Declan O’Brien (football), Bethany graduate student Sheldon Christian (soccer), Geneva junior Kevin Arseneaux (cross country), Grove City junior Luke Kimmich (soccer), W&J junior Brock Pennington (cross country), and Westminster junior Brice Butler (football).