Five Badgers Named CSC Academic All-District
May 28, 2024 | Softball
Bannon, Jacobson, Kuffel, Magnanimo and Salo earn academic honors
MADISON, Wis. – Peyton Bannon, Shelby Jacobson, Brooke Kuffel, Tessa Magnanimo and Gabi Salo of the Wisconsin softball team were named to the Sports Communicators (CSC) Academic All-District Teams, announced by CSC Tuesday afternoon.
In addition to their success on the field, the five Badgers, Bannon, Jacobson, Kuffel, Magnanimo and Salo all earned CSC Academic honors. The recognition by the CSC is a first for all five players.
Bannon appeared in all 52 games, while starting in 50 at centerfield. The senior outfielder was a defensive rock for Wisconsin, committing just one error in the 52 games, while also contributing to the Badger offense. The Spring Grove (Ill.) native tallied 33 hits, led the team with 14 stolen bases, and broke the Badger program record for most career triples (15) on April 28 at Indiana. Bannon graduated with a 3.729 cumulative grade point average (GPA) and a Human Development and Family Studies degree this spring.
Jacobson took on a heavier pitching load compared to a season ago, pitching 100.0 innings. The sophomore right-hander threw a three-hit, complete game over Indiana on April 28. She also picked up her first collegiate victory on February 24 against Long Beach State, where she also threw her first complete game shutout. Jacobson holds a 3.795 cumulative GPA in Business with an Accounting, Information Systems & Finance Investment and Banking emphasis.
Kuffel was nearly an every day starter, appearing in 48 games and started 43 games primarily in right field. Kuffel began her junior campaign with a bang, tallying five home runs in her first eight games. Kuffel finished third on the team with eight home runs, and recorded her second multi-homer game on February 10 against Boise State. The Crystal Lake (Ill.) native is a Psychology major with a 3.559 cumulative GPA.
Magnanimo pitched 168.2 innings for the Badgers this season, whereas previously she pitched 127.0 in her first four season for the Cardinal and White. In the 2024 Big Ten Tournament, Magnanimo went 2-0 and was named to the Big Ten All-Tournament team, and on April 17, she threw the program's 12th no-hitter against Minnesota. The California native also threw four complete-game shutouts (Boise State, UAlbany, Iowa, and Minnesota) and one combined shutout with Shelby Jacobson (St. Thomas) – ranking her 60th this season in the NCAA for most complete game shutouts. The fifth year finished with a 3.846 cumulative GPA in Social Work.
Salo finished her senior season with a career best 5-5 record with 62.1 innings pitched, and had four complete game shutouts (Weber State, Maine, San Diego, and Utah Tech). She tied with Magnanimo for 60th in the NCAA for most shutouts in 2024. The Escanaba (Mich.) native has a 3.651 cumulative GPA in Health Promotion and Heath Equity. Salo has one year of eligibility remaining and will return to the Badgers for the 2025 season.
The 2024 Academic All-District softball teams, selected by CSC, recognize the nation's top student-athletes for their combined performances on the field and in the classroom. The CSC Academic All-America program separately recognizes softball honorees in four divisions – NCAA Division I, NCAA Division II, NCAA Division III and NAIA.
To be eligible for all-district honors, nominees must be at least a sophomore academically and athletically, have a 3.50 or better cumulative grade-point average and compete in 90 percent or more of the institution's games/contests.
In addition to their success on the field, the five Badgers, Bannon, Jacobson, Kuffel, Magnanimo and Salo all earned CSC Academic honors. The recognition by the CSC is a first for all five players.
Bannon appeared in all 52 games, while starting in 50 at centerfield. The senior outfielder was a defensive rock for Wisconsin, committing just one error in the 52 games, while also contributing to the Badger offense. The Spring Grove (Ill.) native tallied 33 hits, led the team with 14 stolen bases, and broke the Badger program record for most career triples (15) on April 28 at Indiana. Bannon graduated with a 3.729 cumulative grade point average (GPA) and a Human Development and Family Studies degree this spring.
Jacobson took on a heavier pitching load compared to a season ago, pitching 100.0 innings. The sophomore right-hander threw a three-hit, complete game over Indiana on April 28. She also picked up her first collegiate victory on February 24 against Long Beach State, where she also threw her first complete game shutout. Jacobson holds a 3.795 cumulative GPA in Business with an Accounting, Information Systems & Finance Investment and Banking emphasis.
Kuffel was nearly an every day starter, appearing in 48 games and started 43 games primarily in right field. Kuffel began her junior campaign with a bang, tallying five home runs in her first eight games. Kuffel finished third on the team with eight home runs, and recorded her second multi-homer game on February 10 against Boise State. The Crystal Lake (Ill.) native is a Psychology major with a 3.559 cumulative GPA.
Magnanimo pitched 168.2 innings for the Badgers this season, whereas previously she pitched 127.0 in her first four season for the Cardinal and White. In the 2024 Big Ten Tournament, Magnanimo went 2-0 and was named to the Big Ten All-Tournament team, and on April 17, she threw the program's 12th no-hitter against Minnesota. The California native also threw four complete-game shutouts (Boise State, UAlbany, Iowa, and Minnesota) and one combined shutout with Shelby Jacobson (St. Thomas) – ranking her 60th this season in the NCAA for most complete game shutouts. The fifth year finished with a 3.846 cumulative GPA in Social Work.
Salo finished her senior season with a career best 5-5 record with 62.1 innings pitched, and had four complete game shutouts (Weber State, Maine, San Diego, and Utah Tech). She tied with Magnanimo for 60th in the NCAA for most shutouts in 2024. The Escanaba (Mich.) native has a 3.651 cumulative GPA in Health Promotion and Heath Equity. Salo has one year of eligibility remaining and will return to the Badgers for the 2025 season.
The 2024 Academic All-District softball teams, selected by CSC, recognize the nation's top student-athletes for their combined performances on the field and in the classroom. The CSC Academic All-America program separately recognizes softball honorees in four divisions – NCAA Division I, NCAA Division II, NCAA Division III and NAIA.
To be eligible for all-district honors, nominees must be at least a sophomore academically and athletically, have a 3.50 or better cumulative grade-point average and compete in 90 percent or more of the institution's games/contests.
Players Mentioned
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