Sales, Schwend Named ZAG / NFHCA Scholars of Distinction

CHANDLER, Ariz. – Sophomores Nicole Sales (Woodbury, Conn.) and Kaitlyn Schwend (San Marcos, Calif.) of the Wells College field hockey team have been selected as ZAG Sports / National Field Hockey Coaches Association (NFHCA) Division III Scholars of Distinction after standout performances in the classroom for the Fall 2015 semester, the organization announced Tuesday. 

Through the first semester of the 2015-16 academic year, Sales and Schwend have achieved a cumulative grade-point average of 3.90 or higher. The duo from Wells joins 189 other selections on the comprehensive list, covering all of NCAA Division III field hockey. 

Sales capped off an outstanding sophomore campaign by scoring the game-winning goal in the North Eastern Athletic Conference Field Hockey Championship game on Oct. 31, propelling her team to the 1-0 victory while claiming Wells' first-ever league title in the sport. Cumulatively on the season, Sales scored one goal and one assist for three points (1-1=3) and was one of seven players to start all 16 contests. 

Since joining the team as a freshman in 2014, Sales has appeared in 31 games for the Express – she has notched two goals and four assists for eight points (2-4=8). Additionally, she has ranked among the team's leaders in minutes played in back-to-back seasons. Having earned Dean's List in her career at Wells, Sales has also earned NEAC Scholar-Athlete honors in 2014-15. 

Despite an injury that sidelined her for the season, Schwend remained an important member of the field hockey team in 2015 while maintaining high marks in the classroom. After healing her injury, Schwend went on to compete with the women's swimming team at Wells where she was a part of five NEAC All-Conference performances.

As a freshman, Schwend saw action in 15 games for the Express. Earning nine starts, Schwend was a key cog in the team's midfield and will look to return to full form as a junior. In the pool, Schwend is a part of 10 different All-Wells Top 10 times and helped both the 400 Yard Medley Relay and the 800 Yard Freestyle Relay to program record times at the most recent NEAC Championships.