2010-11 NGCA All-American Scholar Team

San Francisco, CA – A trio of Academy of Art University women's golfers was recognized by the National Golf Coaches Association in a July 8 announcement of the All-American Scholar Teams for Division I, II & III. Sierra Sanchez, Crystal Superal, and Andrea Nieto were all selected for this prestigious honor, representing an Urban Knights team ranked 27th in NCAA Division II Women's Golf this past 2010-11 season. In all, a total of 566 women's collegiate golfers were recognized for this award.

The criteria for selection to the All-American Scholar Team are some of the most stringent in all of college athletics. The minimum cumulative GPA is 3.50 and student-athletes must have competed in at least 50% (Division I) or 66% (Division II & III) of the college's regularly scheduled competitive rounds during the year.

Sanchez, Superal, and Nieto were acknowledged by the NGCA for their stellar academic work and athletic contributions.


Sanchez produced a 3.55 GPA as a Multimedia Communications major in addition to her efforts on the golf course. Her freshman season was highlighted by her performance at the Grand Canyon University Women's Fall Invitational where she finished tied for 20th overall, posting a 153 (79-74). Sanchez's contributions also helped Academy of Art place within the top six in the majority of the tournaments in which she competed.




Superal, also a Multimedia Communications major, finished the 2010-11 season with a 3.832 GPA and was a major force for ART U women's golf. Superal remained impressive in her sophomore year, ranking 30th in the region after dropping her average score to 78.77, and earning a second place finish at the Dennis Rose Invitational with a three-round score of 227 (72-76-79).




Nieto was one of two Urban Knights to compete in all 11 tournaments during the year while maintaining a 3.856 GPA in Fashion Design. Nieto finished in the top 20 on three occasions with her highest result (T-9th) coming in the Grand Canyon University Women's Fall Invitational. She carded a 148 (72-76) in that tournament.




Head Coach Michele Larkey was extremely proud of all three NGCA All-American Scholar Team selections for Academy of Art.

“One of the unique characteristics of coaching at the NCAA Division II level is the academic-athletics balance,” Coach Larkey said. “In DII, both are very important and I think all three of these women exemplify academic excellence as well as athletic excellence. I couldn't be more proud.”