TRAFFORD, Pa. (pacathletics.org) – Grove City College senior Lydia Bennett (Bethel, Maine | Gould Academy) and Geneva College senior Kevin Arseneaux (Yarmouth Port, Mass. | Dennis-Yarmouth Regional) were named the Presidents’ Athletic Conference (PAC) Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) Scholar-Athletes of the Month for November.
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.
Bennett wrapped her collegiate cross country career earning the PAC Most Outstanding Runner crown by placing first at the Conference Championships on Saturday, November 2nd, with a time of 21:54.3. She went on to earn a fourth place finish on November 16th at the NCAA Division III Mid-Atlantic Championships, held at Lock Haven University, with a time of 21:11. In her final race on November 23rd, Bennett completed the six-kilometer NCAA Division III National Championship course, for the first time in her career, in 22:27.3, earning 117th place overall.
The Communicative Arts major maintains a 3.9 cumulative GPA, while also minoring in French. Bennett has been named to the Dean’s List with High Distinction and received PAC Academic Honor Roll honors. Throughout her academic career, she has been appointed by her professors as an executive assistant for special events and promotions, project manager for research methods and host of class public speaking events.
On Grove City’s campus, Bennet is a member of multiple academic honoraries, including Omicron Delta Kappa (ODK), the national leadership honor society which aims to recognize juniors and seniors who have attained a high standard of leadership in collegiate activities; Mortar Board, a national honor society for senior college students who are selected with QPA’s of 3.3 or higher and who have demonstrated leadership and service to the College community; Alpha Mu Gamma, the national foreign language honorary and service organization; and previously a member of Crown and Sceptre, the sophomore women’s honorary for those who display scholarship, leadership, and service during their freshmen year.
Female November honorable mention nominees included: Allegheny junior Jacy Diaz (women’s volleyball); Bethany junior Monica Bird Montilla (women’s soccer); Geneva junior Carmen Medvit (women’s cross country); Saint Vincent senior Stacie Ramos (women’s volleyball); W&J junior Claire Anderson (women’s cross country); Waynesburg junior Grace Tanksley (women’s cross country); Westminster senior Rachel Brady (women’s volleyball).
Arseneaux concluded his collegiate cross country career with standout performances in the month of November, beginning with a second place overall finish at the PAC Cross Country Championships with a time of 25:42, earning First Team All-PAC honors for the third straight year. He went on to place 12th in the NCAA Mid-Atlantic Regional Cross Country Championships with a time of 24:28, qualifying for the NCAA National Championships for the first time in his career. Arseneaux finished his final race with a time of 26:02, becoming first Geneva men's cross country runner to compete in the NCAA Division III Cross Country Championship on November 23rd.
The Social Studies Education major maintains a 3.73 GPA and has received numerous academic honors, including Geneva’s Dean's List, PAC Academic Honor Roll, College Sport Communicators Academic All-District and USTFCCCA All-Academic honors. Arseneaux is also a Pro Christo Scholarship recipient, which is awarded to students with a cumulative high school GPA of 3.90 or higher and 1200 SAT or 25 ACT or 78 CL.
Arseneaux spends time volunteering in the community serving as a Sunday School teacher at the College Hill Reformed Church. He has also been a counselor at the Pine Valley Bible Camp. On campus, Arseneaux has served as a SAAC representative.
Male November honorable mention nominees included: Allegheny junior Zachary Wise (men’s cross country); Bethany senior Matteo Pintus (men’s soccer); Grove City junior Caleb Brubaker (football); W&J senior Dawson Dietz (football); Waynesburg junior Zayne Cawley (football); Westminster junior Dylan Sleva (football).