Softball Trio Tabbed to CSC Academic All-District Team

MOREHEAD, Ky. — Morehead State’s softball trio of Maddy Christopher, Rylie Burney and Ilencia Lightbody have all earned Academic All-District, as selected by the College Sports Communicators (CSC) organization.

Lightbody earned her second consecutive honor, while Christopher and Burney garnered their first. Christopher’s accolades warranted her in advancing to the national ballot for consideration for Academic All-America.

The College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA) began the distinguished Academic All-America® program in 1952, and since then, has honored thousands of deserving student-athletes from numerous sports across all divisions with these elite Academic All-America® scholar-athlete honors. In 2022, CoSIDA re-branded itself as the College Sports Communicators.

Currently, CSC sponsors Academic All-America® programs for men’s soccer, women’s soccer, football, tennis, volleyball, men’s basketball, women’s basketball, baseball, softball, swimming and diving and men’s and women’s track and field/cross country. Many other sports are eligible through the At-Large program. In 2022, the guidelines were updated to include more representation on the All-District teams. Sports have limitations to the number of athletes that can be nominated and the minimum grade-point average was raised to 3.50.

Christopher is a sophomore outfielder from Marengo, Ill. She earned First-Team All-OVC this season. Christopher has earned a perfect 4.0 cumulative grade-point average in criminology.

Burney, a right-handed pitcher, transferred in this season from Lake Land (Ill.). Also in criminology, the Kincaid, Ill., native has a 3.75 grade point average.

Lightbody, from Wentzville, Mo., spent most of her playing time as the Eagles’ catcher this year. The senior owns a 3.77 lifetime GPA in finance.