SAN BRUNO, Calif. — As just announced by the West Coast Conference, eight Gaels have been named to the 2025 All-Academic Team, with a pair, Chelsea Bennett and Victoria Castillo, being named as first team honorees. With eight total honorees, the Gaels tie Pacific for the most student-athletes on this distinguished list. In order to qualify for the All-Academic Team, Student-athletes in must meet all the following standards:

(a) A minimum 3.20 cumulative grade point average (GPA) based on the most recently completed term at the time of the nomination. So far softball, it would be the fall term. Prior to the nomination, the appropriate institutional academic authorities shall review the grades of the prospective nominees. 

(b) Be a starter or important reserve with legitimate athletic credentials.

(c) Have at least sophomore athletic and academic standing with at least one year in residence completed at the nominating institution. (True freshmen, redshirt freshmen and ineligible transfers may not be nominated). An ineligible transfer refers to somebody who transferred to your team following the 2023-24 academic year and is on your roster for the first time in 2025. 

(d) Participate in at least 50 percent of the institution's completed contests. Pitchers may be nominated if they participate in at least 25 percent of the institution's completed.

Junior pitcher Chelsea Bennett was honored as a first team member of the All-Academic team for the first time in her career. Having her best season to date, the Warriewood, Australia native has been a top bullpen arm for the Gaels this year. In 14 appearances, 10 of which came out of the bullpen, Bennett worked 37 innings, amassing a career-best 3.78 ERA. A biology major, Bennett has maintained a cumulative 3.75 GPA. 

Also a junior, Victoria Castillo was the second Gael to be honored as a first team All-Academic selectee. Putting together her best all-together softball campaign, the Salinas, California product has seen jumps in every stat this year, including a 0.337 average, good for second on the team, all while also managing a position change from right field to second base. Castillo closed out her season on an 11 game hit streak, the best of any Gael this season. A sociology major, Castillo has maintained a cumulative 3.84 GPA, the highest of any upperclassmen on the team. This is the second time in as many years that Castillo has been honored as a first team All-Academic member. 

The following Gaels were named honorable mention WCC All-Academic team members:

Jenavee Amador, Senior, Education, 3.23 GPA

Tori Cervantes, Junior, Exercise Science, 3.43 GPA

Claudia Kirchner, Senior, Health Science, 3.36 GPA

Taylor Lane, Redshirt Junior, Special Education, 3.68 GPA

Odhi Vasquez, Junior, Health Science, 3.25 GPA

Avrey Wolverton, Redshirt Junior, Psychology, 3.36 GPA

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