The Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency (PHEAA) has joined the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association, Inc. (PIAA) in announcing their inaugural 2025-26 All-Academic Athletic Teams, where students are recognized for excellence in both the field and the classroom.
PHEAA, in partnership with the PIAA, has awarded $1,000 scholarships to these 24 outstanding high school senior student-athletes from 193 nominees across all PIAA districts in Pennsylvania.
“We’re proud to award the first ever PHEAA/PIAA All-Academic Athletic Team Scholarships,” said Senator Wayne Fontana, Chairman of the PHEAA Board of Directors. “We established this scholarship award in conjunction with the PIAA to promote and encourage postsecondary education while also recognizing and honoring the hard work and dedication of our most accomplished multi-sport student-athletes.”
Nominees were evaluated based on their athletic and academic achievements, school involvement, community service and leadership. Each district celebrates one male and one female student-athlete who have proven their ability to balance the heavy demands of both academics and athletics at an exceptionally high level.
“This scholarship program is a great way to ensure students are aware that PHEAA is here to help them find an affordable path to higher education,” said James Steeley, PHEAA President & CEO. “At the same time, it allows us to give these exceptional young athletes the recognition they deserve for excelling in both academics and athletics. The amount of organization, dedication, and perseverance required to achieve that is outstanding.”
“This inaugural class of student-athletes represents the very best of what interscholastic athletics can offer,” said Mark Byers, Executive Director of PIAA. “Their dedication in the classroom, their commitment to their teams, and their leadership within their communities exemplify the true meaning of being a student-athlete. We are honored to celebrate their accomplishments through this partnership with PHEAA.”
“The PIAA is committed to developing student-athletes who succeed beyond the competition surface,” said Frank Majikes, President of PIAA. “This program and these student-athletes exemplify the value of discipline, integrity, and perseverance. This recognition honors not only their accomplishments, but also the example they set for others in their District and across the Commonwealth. We are proud to recognize and support their continued success.”
2025-26 PHEAA / PIAA All-Academic Athletic Team:
| Boys: District 1 – Thomas Ginnetti, Pennridge District 2 – Nicholas Burak, Valley View District 3 – Colton Rutt, Cocalico District 4 – Tyler Ulrich, Warrior Run District 5 – Brennan Lohr, Conemaugh Township District 6 – Cooper Lovrich, Bellwood-Antis District 7 – Ryan Spitznagel, South Park District 8 – Jaden Colbert, Obama Academy District 9 – Dalton Wenner, Cranberry District 10 – Blake Glass, Fort LeBoeuf District 11 – Sean Steckert, Southern Lehigh District 12 – Ryan Connor, Cardinal O’Hara | Girls: District 1 – Avery Lustgarten, Garnet Valley District 2 – Amanda Dempsey, Dunmore District 3 – Kaydon Brandt, Susquenita District 4 – Haley Litzelman, North Penn-Liberty District 5 – Alyssa Yeatts, Northern Bedford District 6 – Zaelinh Nguyen-Moore, Altoona District 7 – Anabella Aquino, Penn Trafford District 8 – Mia Quarles, Obama Academy District 9 – Harley Thompson, Northern Potter District 10 – Miah Skelly, North East District 11 – Leah Black, Tamaqua Area District 12 – Dailyanis Nunez Guzman, Thomas A. Edison |
