Calvin College seniors Carissa Verkaik and Lizzie Kamp have taken the school’s athletic program to new heights during the 2012-2013 academic year.
The College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA) named Verkaik and Kamp the Capital One Academic All-American of the Year in their respective sports.
“This is a phenomenal occurrence,” said Nancy Meyer, director of women’s athletics. “It’s a huge honor for us to have two student athletes of that caliber competing for Calvin for four years.”
Both have won other honors as well.
An accounting major with a 3.69 GPA, Kamp followed in her older sister Rebecca’s footsteps, being named the 2012 Division III National Player of the Year by the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA).
During her senior season, Kamp led Calvin’s volleyball team to a 33-3 record and a runner-up finish in the NCAA Division III tournament. She was a part of Calvin’s national championship team in 2010.
An elementary education major with a 3.76 GPA, Verkaik was named the Michigan Interscholastic Athletic Association’s (MIAA) MVP in basketball for four straight years.
She completed her career as Calvin’s all-time leader in points, rebounds, and blocked shots, and she ranks third all-time in Division III for blocked shots. She helped Calvin reach the NCAA III Tournament for four straight years.
About the Author
Matt Kucinski is media relations manager at Calvin University.
