Peyton Darnell, Kayt Houston and Taylor Thorp took home CSC Academic All-District honors for their work in the classroom this academic year, the College Sports Communicators announced this week.
The academic all-district teams recognize the nation’s top student-athletes for their combined performances on the softball field and in the classroom.
Darnell graduated in May with her graduate certificate in public health nutrition practice, posting a 3.94 GPA in pursuit of her graduate certificate in public health nutrition practice. She was one of App State’s best hitters at the plate in 2024, slugging 11 homers and driving in a team-high 45 runs. Her 1.030 OPS was second on the team.
In addition to her 3.79 undergraduate GPA, Houston posted one of the best seasons in program history in 2024, posting the highest single-season batting average by a Mountaineer (.434) and becoming App State’s all-time hits leader with 247. She led the Sun Belt in both batting average and OPS, while finishing in the top three in slugging percentage, on-base percentage and doubles. She graduated in May.
Thorp earned her Master of Science degree in exercise science in May with a 3.82 GPA. She started in every game this past year for the Mountaineers and always gave opposing pitchers tough at-bats, striking out just eight times while drawing 22 walks. The graduate student recorded her 100th career hit against Louisiana in March. Thorp’s prowess at first base shined this season, as she posted a .990 fielding percentage that was tied for the seventh-best in the Sun Belt.
Both Houston and Darnell qualified to be nominated for CSC Academic All-America honors, which will be announced June 18.
