MONTGOMERY, Ala. – The Southern States Athletic Conference recognized the Loyola women's track and field team on Thursday by naming three athletes to the SSAC Scholar-Athlete Team to lead the league. Bryana Bazile, Jolie Matherne, and Kaitlyn Becnel were named to the scholar-athlete team with Bazile being honored as the Scholar-Athlete of the Year.
In her senior year, Bazile had a historic season competing for the Wolf Pack. Earlier this month, Bazile was named the SSAC Field Athlete of the Year, winning both the shot put and discus throw at the SSAC Championships to be awarded First Team All-Conference in both events. Additionally, Bazile was added to the Third Team All-Conference list with a third-place finish in the hammer throw at the SSAC Championships. With a 43.20-meter discus throw at the Strawberry Relays, Bazile qualified for the NAIA National Championships in Marion, Indiana, on May 24.
In the indoor season, Bryana won shot put and weight throw at the SSAC Championships being named First Team All-Conference in both events, posting distances of 13.00 meters and 15.58 meters, respectively. On Thursday, the Houston, Texas native, added another accolade winning the SSAC's Scholar-Athlete of the Year award. Posting a 3.57 GPA as a computer science major, Bazile had a strong year, both on and off the field.
Also named to the conference's scholar-athlete team, Matherne also had strong year, earning a 3.66 GPA as a psychological sciences major. In her senior season, Matherne became a member of the SSAC Second Team All-Conference list with a second-place finish of 28.62 meters in the javelin throw at the SSAC Championships. Following the indoor season, Matherne was added to the SSAC All-Academic team. Matherne was also named to the SSAC Champions of Character Team for the second time in her collegiate career.
Becnel excelled on the field and the classroom in her senior year, posting a 3.32 GPA as a nursing major. Thursday marked the third time that Becnel became a member of the SSAC Scholar-Athlete team. Becnel was also named First Team All-Conference during the indoor season with a victory in the high jump of 1.60 meters at the SSAC Championships. With her performance in the 4x800-meter relay at the conference championships, Becnel became Second Team All-Conference. In the classroom, Becnel added an SSAC Indoor All-Academic award.
2023-24 SSAC Women's Track & Field Scholar-Athlete Team
Bryana Bazile, Loyola (La.) - Scholar-Athlete of the Year
Catherine Truemper, Blue Mountain Christian (Miss.)
Aubrey Britt, Blue Mountain Christian (Miss.)
Jolie Matherne, Loyola (La.)
Kaitlyn Becnel, Loyola (La.)
Kayla Mattox, Dalton St. (Ga.)
Giselle Dominguez, Dalton St. (Ga.)
Kayley Burgess, Mobile (Ala.)
Salieci Myles, William Carey (Miss.)
Fredricka McKenzie, William Carey (Miss.)
Kh'Lari South, Point (Ga.)
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