Kayla Kowalik, right, and Erin Coffel were both academic All-Americans. (Vicky Graff Photo)
Sometimes accomplishments that should probably matter the most do not receive nearly enough recognition. Kentucky had a school-record 12 athletes — tied for fourth in the nation among 363 Division I schools — named to the official Academic All-America teams by the College Sports Communicators during the 2022-23 school year
The previous best at UK was 10 during the 2020-21 school year.
It’s not easy to be an academic all-American. It requires a sophomore or higher to have a career grade-point average of at least 3.5 and also be a starter or important reserve for his or her team. Anyone who meets those standards is named to the academic all-district team before a national vote is conducted to pick the All-Americans.
Four of UK’s most successful athletes during the 2022-23 school year made the list.
Quarterback Will Levis, a second-round NFL draft pick, was named the Academic All-American of the Year in his sport. Translation: He was the top student-athlete among all NCAA Division I football players.
Kayla Kowalik, UK’s all-time softball hits leader, was a first-team All-American. So was golfer Laney Frye who had one of the best seasons in UK history. Shortstop Erin Coffel, who should become UK’s all-time leader in home runs and RBIs in 2024, was a third team pick.
Others honored were Caitlin Brooks (swimming), Ben Damge (soccer), Izzy Gatti (swimming), Jackson Gray (baseball), Luis Grassow (soccer), Lauren Poole (swimming), Josh Sabot (track) and Anna Havens Rice (swimming).
Kentucky has had 143 academic all-Americans, 18th all-time in Division I and since 2000 has had 106, 10th best among Division I schools.
