Fifty-four MSU athletes were named to the spring Big Ten Academic All-Conference Team on Wednesday.

All 54 athletes maintained at least a 3.0 career grade-point-average. They were also letterwinners who were in at least their second academic year at their universities.

Softball pitcher Jessica Beech was one of seven women’s softball players to be named to the team.

“It feels good,” Beech said. “It’s a nice honor to know that athletes can get their work done in the classroom, too.”

The no-preference sophomore maintained a 3.44 GPA this spring.

Teammate and first-time honoree Robyn Golden said her coach emphasized getting good grades.

“If you would’ve seen us on our trips, you’d see how hard we study,” Golden said.

The history junior had a 3.35 GPA last spring.

In total, 795 athletes across the Big Ten were named to the team. MSU had five from the baseball team, seven from the softball team, six golfers, 11 from the crew team, six from the tennis teams, 13 track and field teams and six from the hockey team.

Several Spartan standouts made the team, including Big Ten Women’s Golfer of the Year Emily Bastel, rowing Co-Athlete of the Year Krista Buzzell, outfielder Chris McCuiston and golfer Eric Jorgensen.

Kristofer Karol