TRAFFORD, Pa. (pacathletics.org) - Washington & Jefferson College junior Sofia Jenkins (Hughesville, Md./The Calverton School) and Waynesburg University junior Ethan Lown (Lebanon, Pa./Elizabethtown) were named the Presidents’ Athletic Conference (PAC) Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) Scholar-Athletes of the Month for April.
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.
Jenkins led the Presidents’ to a perfect 8-0 April, scoring 11 goals, tallying 19 assists, had 16 ground balls, and had 17 draw controls. During the 2023 season the junior established a new single-season school record for assists. Her 39 assists broke the previous mark set by Caroline Kallos in 2016.
The lacrosse standout’s performance carries over into the classroom, as the Spanish, Communication Arts (Emphasis in Public Relations) maintains a 3.9 GPA. She was selected as the Washington Health System Women's Student-Athlete of the Month for April. Jenkins has also been named to the PAC Academic Honor Roll in 2021 & 2022, has been named to the Dean's List five times, and has been an Alpha Scholar. She has been the recipient of the Edward and Barbara Greb Travel Scholarship, as well as being named to multiple honor societies including Sigma Delta Pi Spanish Honors Society (2023), Lambda Pi Eta Communications Honors Society (2023), Alpha Lambda Delta Honors Society (2021-23), & Washington Fellows Honors Program (2021-23).
Jenkins is active on W&J’s campus serving as a LINK Mentor, as well as an Accountability Advisor, which mentors and assists fellow students respectively. She is a member of the Public Relations Student Society, the Green Club, as well as a member and vice-president of the Pre-Legal Society. Jenkins also is an editor and writer for the Sports Section of W&J’s Red & Black Newspaper.
Female April honorable mention nominees included: Allegheny senior Raina Semenick (lacrosse), Bethany junior Grace Tice (track & field), Geneva senior Peri Caesri (softball), Waynesburg senior Brin Hunter (softball) and Westminster senior Mackenzie Latess (softball).
Lown had a stellar month, going 4-2 in singles play and 3-3 in doubles. He led the Yellow Jackets to a 6-3 victory over Thiel to finish the regular season. Lown and his doubles partner, Michael Saliba, ranked third in No. 1 doubles winning percentage in the conference (.750).
The junior maintains a 4.0 GPA majoring in Political Science and has been named to PAC Academic Honor Roll in 2021 and 2022. He was also recently named to the Academic All-District Men's Tennis Team by College Sports Communicators.
On campus, Lown is the SAAC President, Vice-President of Waynesburg FCA, and part of the Stover Scholarship program.
Male April honorable mention nominees included: Allegheny senior David Kratzenberg (lacrosse), Bethany senior Clay Yingling (lacrosse), Geneva junior Tim Hermansen (baseball) and Westminster senior Carter Chinn (baseball).