IRVINE, Calif. – A trio of Concordia University Irvine softball players were selected Thursday to the 2020 CoSIDA Academic All-District Team.
 
Seniors Sarah Kretschmar, Amanda Gjertsen and Mackenzie Graham were all First Team selections in District Eight, which includes the three NCAA DII conferences in the West Region (the PacWest, CCAA and GNAC).
 
To qualify for this prestigious honor by CoSIDA, which stands for the College Sports Information Directors of America, candidates had to meet certain criteria that included compiling at least a 3.30 cumulative GPA and playing in at least 50 percent of the team's games.
 
All three CUI seniors are now eligible to make the next stage for a chance at being named a 2020 CoSIDA Softball Academic All-American. That announcement is expected in mid-June.
 
Kretschmar compiled a 3.95 cumulative GPA and earned her bachelor's degree in liberal studies - child development with a minor in psychology. The Diamond Bar, Calif. native was also recently named 2020 Concordia Female Scholar-Athlete of the Year. The starting shortstop on the two-time PacWest Conference champions, Kretschmar was the 2019 PacWest Softball Scholar-Athlete of the Year and made Third Team All-PacWest as a junior. She also served as editor-in-chief & sports editor of the school newspaper the Concordia Courier and was the SAAC Director of Community & Campus Relations. In addition, the graduate of Diamond Ranch High School volunteered for The Village of Hope, Irvine Girls Softball Association, & Orange County Food Bank.
 
Graham earned an impressive 3.83 cumulative GPA while majoring in chemistry with an emphasis on chemical research and also a math minor.  The starting catcher was a two-time PacWest Conference champ & primary catcher for six no-hitters thrown by All-American teammate Callie Nunes. As a junior, the Esperanza High School alum was D2CCA Second Team All-Region in addition to be named the 2019 PacWest Defensive Player of the Year & Second Team All-PacWest. The Yorba Linda, Calif. native also has the DII ADA Academic Achievement Award on her resume.
 
Gjertsen was honored as 2020 Concordia Female Athlete of the Year at the annual Senior Awards.  The third baseman posted a 3.52 cumulative GPA as a biology major and is currently working as a microbiologist for a clean room certification company that tests hospitals and pharmacies across the country. Gjertsen sported eye-popping numbers during the shortened 2020 season, hitting .379 and leading the Eagles with 22 hits, nine doubles, 37 total bases and 17 RBI. She also compiled a .520 on-base percentage as well as a .628 slugging percentage to pace the offense.
 
All three Eagles were also named 2019 NFCA All-America Scholar-Athletes & have been Academic All-PacWest honorees every year they have been at Concordia.

For the full announcement of CoSIDA Academic All-District selections, click here.