Four Pios Selected as NSCA All-American Strength & Conditional Athletes of the Year
5/4/2026 3:43:00 PM | Football, Men's Lacrosse, Women's Rugby, Women's Soccer
Fairfield, Conn. – Four Sacred Heart University student-athletes, representing four different teams, have been selected as a 2025-26 All-American Strength and Conditioning Athlete of the Year Award recipient as chosen by the National Stretch and Conditioning Association (NSCA).
Women's soccer forward Morgan Bovardi, women's rugby flanker/hooker Caroline Woelfel, men's lacrosse midfielder John Murray and football defensive lineman Peter Schanne were all chosen to represent Sacred Heart.
The NSCA All-American Strength and Conditioning Athlete of the Year award recognizes athletes whose athletic accomplishments reflect their dedication to strength training and conditioning. NSCA member RSCC-certified coaches may nominate one male and/or one female athlete. Each of these Pios were chosen because they demonstrate the NSCA All-American standard through their athletic achievement, dedication to training, leadership, integrity, and positive representation of Sacred Heart University Strength & Conditioning and our Athletics programs.
Bovardi enjoyed an outstanding career with SHU women's soccer, finishing as the programs all-time leader in goals and points. She consistently demonstrated grit and leadership through her training, always pushing herself to lift heavy and train win intent, even after playing in full games, setting a high standard for her teammates to follow. This commitment to her and her team's development made her a strong representative for this award.
Woelfel was selected for her contributions to Sacred Heart women's rugby as a dependable contributor within the program. Her toughness, a work ethic that pushes those around her and her dedication to training reflect the qualities of this award.
One of men's lacrosse's top offensive contributors and a 2026 team captain, Murray's athletic performance, leadership and commitment to preparation in the weight room and on the field have translated to his success and make him an excellent selection for this award.
A senior defensive linemen and returning contributor for SHU football, Schanne was selected for his consistency, physicality and commitment to the stretch and conditioning process, which translated to his on-field performance, made him a strong representative of both the football program and SHU Athletics.
About the National Strength & Conditioning Association
Founded in 1978, The National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA) is a nonprofit association dedicated to advancing the strength and conditioning and related sport science professions around the world.
The NSCA exists to empower a community of professionals to maximize their impact through disseminating evidence- based knowledge and its practical application by offering industry-leading certifications, research journals, career development services, networking opportunities, and continuing education. The NSCA community is composed of more than 60,000 members and certified professionals throughout the world who further industry standards as researchers, educators, strength and conditioning coaches, performance and sport scientists, personal trainers, tactical professionals, and other related roles.
