Sept. 4, 2009

PHILADELPHIA- Saint Joseph's women's lacrosse team graduate's Jessica Westlake and Abby Renninger were recognized for their academic success during the 2008-09 academic year by the International Women's Lacrosse Coaches Association (IWLCA).

Westlake, a finance major (Spanish minor) and Renninger, a food marketing major, were two of 407 student-athletes at 152 institutions recognized by the IWLCA for their excellence in the classroom. All student-athletes nominated by their institutions had a GPA of at least 3.5 or were in the top 10 percent of their squad.

On the field the pair helped lead the Hawks to their first appearance in the Atlantic 10 Championship game in 2009. Westlake was the team's leader in draw controls, totaling 30 for the season. She also poured in 22 goals and a career-high 10 assists to total 32 points. She finished her career with 74 goals, good for 11th in SJU history. For her efforts, she was named to the Atlantic 10 All-Championship Team.

Renninger, a member of the Atlantic 10 All-Conference First Team, finished the season with the second-most caused turnovers at 26 and picked up 24 ground balls. On the offensive end Renninger totaled 16 points with eight goals and eight assists.

Westlake was also named to the 2009 Philadelphia Academic All-Area Team, was awarded the team's Scholar-Athlete Award, and was also named to the A-10 All-Academic Team for the second straight year. This is the first academic team nod for Renninger.