Softball

UW-Eau Claire’s Lathrop Named Softball Judy Kruckman Scholar Athlete

MADISON, Wis.--University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire’s Paige Lathrop has been named the recipient of the 2026 Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) Softball Judy Kruckman Scholar-Athlete Award.
 
Lathrop, a senior from South Milwaukee, Wis. (South Milwaukee), is majoring in rehabilitation science and maintains a 3.89 grade point average. She secured a spot on the NCAA Division III Academic All-District® First Team, selected by the College Sports Communicators, in 2024 and 2025. Lathrop is a three-time Easton/National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) All-America Scholar-Athlete and three-time member of the WIAC Scholastic Honor Roll. She has been recognized on UW-Eau Claire’s Dean’s List and added Academic Distinction each semester. Lathrop has received an academic scholarship every year.
 
Lathrop secured All-WIAC first team honors this year for the second straight season. In 2025, she received a Rawlings Gold Glove award and landed on the NFCA All-Region second team. A team captain this year, Lathrop landed on the NFCA Player of the Year Watchlist in 2025 and 2026.
 
Lathrop is a member of the Mark Stephens Cosby Honors College, UW-Eau Claire’s Kinesiology Club and Physical Activity and Recreation for Individuals with Disabilities in the Eau Claire area (PRIDE) program. She has served as a student trainer for older adults in the Community Fitness Program, student trainer for cancer survivors in the UW-Eau Claire Cancer Recovery Program and peer tutor for rigorous university biology courses. Lathrop has volunteered for The Miracle League and numerous community softball camps and clinics. She is obtaining a certificate in American Sign Language, conducted undergraduate research regarding lower body strength and the menstrual cycle, and has been a research assistant for a basketball performance study.
 
Also nominated for this year’s scholar-athlete award were: UW-La Crosse’s Lindsay Steien (Jr., Taylor, Wis./Blair-Taylor); UW-Oshkosh’s Haylie Wittman (Sr., Kaukauna, Wis./Kaukauna); UW-River Falls’ Grace Gardner (Sr., Big Lake, Minn./Big Lake); UW-Stevens Point’s Trinity Otto (Sr., Mequon, Wis./Mequon Homestead); UW-Stout’s Donna D’Addabbo (Sr., Itasca, Ill./Lake Park); and UW-Whitewater’s Maggie Ward (Sr., Downers Grove, Ill./Downers Grove North).
 
The WIAC Scholar-Athlete Award is named after Judy Kruckman who served as Assistant Commissioner for the WIAC from 1996-98. Prior to this appointment, she was Commissioner of the Wisconsin Women's Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WWIAC) from October, 1984 - September, 1996. Kruckman was the women's athletics director at UW-Eau Claire from 1974-84, and one of the original representatives to the WWIAC when it formed in 1971. She was inducted into the WIAC Hall of Fame in 2012.

In order to be nominated for the scholar-athlete award, a student-athlete must have a minimum 3.50 grade point average. In addition, she must be in her last year of competition, or on schedule to graduate this academic year, and have competed for a minimum of two years. The award is based on academic achievements, athletics accomplishments and involvement in other campus activities, organizations and community service projects.
 
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