Women's Lacrosse

UW-La Crosse’s Schiltz Named Women’s Lacrosse Judy Kruckman Scholar Athlete

MADISON, Wis.--University of Wisconsin-La Crosse’s Ava Schiltz has been named the recipient of the 2026 Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) Women’s Lacrosse Judy Kruckman Scholar-Athlete Award.
 
Schiltz, a senior from Prior Lake, Minn. (Prior Lake), owns a 3.70 grade point average and is majoring in exercise sport science with a minor in nutrition. She is a three-time member of the WIAC Scholastic Honor Roll and been recognized on UW-La Crosse’s Dean’s List numerous semesters. 
 
Schiltz is a three-time All-WIAC first team selection and was tabbed the Midfielder of the Year this season. She is the only player in program history to receive All-WIAC first team honors three consecutive years. Schiltz is a two-year team captain and owns the program record for goals in a season with 55 during the 2025 campaign, and career goals (223), assists (62), points (285) and shots (461). In 2025, she was named UW-La Crosse’s Most Valuable Player after receiving the Offensive Player of the Year honor in 2024, and Rookie of the Year and Offensive Player of the Year in 2023.
 
Schiltz is a member of UW-La Crosse’s Student-Athlete Advisory Committee. She has volunteered with EXPAND (Exercise Program for Adults with Neurological Disorders) and LEAP (Lower Extremity Amputee Program).
 
Also nominated for this year’s scholar-athlete award were: College of Saint Benedict’s Samantha Hackley (Sr., Plymouth, Minn./Wayzata); Colorado College’s Grace Bean (Sr., Boston, Mass./Easthampton - The Williston Northampton School); Hamline University’s Aoi Suzuki (Sr., Chiba, Japan/Coppell); UW-River Falls’ Lilah Gilyard (Sr., Coon Rapids, Minn./Coon Rapids); UW-Stevens Point’s Emily Griege (Jr., Chesterfield, Mo./Westminster Christian Academy); and UW-Stout’s Mai Nou Vang (Sr., Green Bay, Wis./Green Bay Preble).

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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