[Cheerleading] Adam, Thorson and Hess named to CoSIDA Academic All-America At-Large Team
CoSIDA Academic All-America Women's At-Large Team
Andrea Adam, Anna Thorson and Megan Hess were all named to the prestigious 2022 Academic All-America Women's At-Large Team, as voted on by the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA). Adam, a member of the St. Ambrose swimming & diving team, and Thorson, from the SAU cheer team, were named to the first team, while Hess, of the Fighting Bee bowling team, was picked for the second team.
The CoSIDA Academic All-America Team is comprised of student-athletes from NAIA institutions, who are selected based on their work athletically and in the classroom. Nominees must be starters or important reserves, sophomores or older, with at least 3.30 cumulative grade point averages. The women's at-large team includes student-athletes from the following sports: beach volleyball, bowling, competitive cheer, competitive dance, golf, lacrosse, swimming & diving, tennis, and wrestling.
Adam, from Iowa City, Iowa, is the most-decorated student-athlete in SAU women's swimming & diving program history. The four-time NAIA Women's Outstanding Diver of the Year won four national titles in 3-meter diving and three in the 1-meter event. Her seven national championships are the most by any individual in school history. She is a nine-time All-American. Adam is pursuing her Doctorate of Physical Therapy.
Thorson, from Streator, Ill., is a two-time NAIA Competitive Cheer All-American. She helped St. Ambrose win the 2022 College Classic Co-Ed Cheer National Championship after placing third at the 2022 NAIA Competitive Cheer Championships. Over her four seasons on the team, St. Ambrose won a total of 16 events. Thorson is also pursuing her Doctorate of Physical Therapy.
Hess, from Granger, Iowa, was named a National Collegiate Bowling Coaches Association first team all-American and honorable mention NCBCA Bowler of the Year this year. The Bees' top bowler with a 205.23 scoring average over 60 individual games this season, Hess earned five all-tournament team selections among her seven top-10 finishes this year. She ended her season by qualifying for the Intercollegiate Singles Championships. Hess graduated with degrees in Criminal Justice and Philosophy this May.
St. Ambrose has had seven student-athletes earn CoSIDA Academic All-America recognition this year. Adam, Thorson, Eric Spurgetis (men's at-large/men's golf) and Michael Dudek (baseball) earned first-team honors, and Hess, Tom Kazanecki (men's basketball) and Olivia McClintock (softball) were second-team selections.