BROCKPORT, N.Y. — This year, more than 500 student-athletes have been recognized as National Field Hockey Coaches Association (NFHCA) Division III Scholars of Distinction. RSC's junior midfielder Kyndra Riche (Salem, NY/Salem Washington Academy) earned the coveted award for her excellent effort in the classroom this fall.

The Scholars of Distinction program recognizes student-athletes who have achieved a cumulative grade-point average of 3.9 or higher through the first semester of the 2021-22 academic year.

Marywood University and Massachusetts Institute of Technology placed the most student-athletes on the Scholars of Distinction list this year, with nine honorees each.

A physical therapy major at RSC, Riche started all 17 games this past season with six points having tallied three goals. She also registered three defensive saves. She also earned acclaim as an Empire 8 Presidents' List honoree this past fall, while also earning a spot on the Sage Scholar-Athlete Team.

As a sophomore, the Gators did not have a season due to the COVID-19 pandemic, she was also tapped for the 2020-2021 NFHCA Scholar-Athlete National Team and also made the NFCHA Scholar of Distinction Team.  As a newcomer with the Gators in the fall of 2019, she played in 15 contests with three starts and handed out a pair of assists. She was selected to the 2019 NFHCA Scholar-Athlete National Team as well as earning a selection to the NFCHA Scholar of Distinction Team.