August 26, 2010
FARMVILLE, Va. -- The Virginia Sports Information Directors Association (VaSID) recently announced that 119 collegiate student-athletes have been honored for their performances both in the classroom and in competition as the organization selected the 2009-10 VaSID Academic All-State Team. Longwood University is represented by six former and current Lancers, including Amy Betterton|Rocky Mount, Billy Heird|York, Pa., Tia Nardella|Brookline, Mass., Laura Simon Espinalt|Barcelona, Spain, David Smiy Jr.|Chesterfield, and Michael Young|Oakville, Ontario (Trafalgar).
Amy Betterton was a member of the Longwood softball team that finished 36-16 during 2010. She graduated Summa Cum Laude in May after majoring in exercise science with a minor in biology. Betterton started all 52 games for the Lancers this past season while batting .261 with 11 home runs, six doubles, and 42 RBI. Amy is the daughter of Janet and Kenny Betterton of Rocky Mount.
Billy Heird was a member of the men's tennis team that finished 12-9 during 2010 and won the Independent Tennis Tournament Championship. He graduated Cum Laude in May after majoring in business administration with a concentration in management. Heird started all 21 matches for the Lancers this past season while compiling a singles record of 17-10, and a doubles record of 12-12. Billy is the son of Dale Ann and Steve Heird of York, Pennsylvania.
Tia Nardella was a member of the women's soccer team that finished 9-8-1 during 2009. She graduated Cum Laude in May after majoring in kinesiology with a concentration in exercise science. Nardella started 12 of 17 matches for the Lancers last fall with two goals and two assists for six points, including one game-winning goal. Tia is the daughter of Karen and Anthony Nardella of Brookline, Massachusetts.
Laura Simon Espinalt was a member of the women's tennis team that finished 13-8 during 2010 and won the Independent Tennis Tournament Championship. She graduated Magna Cum Laude in May after majoring in political science with a concentration in international studies. Simon Espinalt started all 21 matches for the Lancers this past season while compiling a singles record of 8-11, and a doubles record of 18-5. Laura is the daughter of Joan Simon Tort and Rosa Espinalt Bajona of Barcelona, Spain.
David Smiy Jr. was a member of the baseball team that finished 28-20 during 2010. He graduated Summa Cum Laude in May after majoring in business finance. Smiy started 41 of 47 games for the Lancers this past season while batting .256 with 10 doubles, 32 RBI, 23 runs scored, and a .315 slugging percentage. David is the son of Brenda and David Smiy Sr. of Chesterfield.
Michael Young is a senior member of the men's golf team that posted a scoring average of 299.6 during 2009-10 while winning one tournament among eight top-10 team finishes in 11 tournament competitions with a runners-up finish as well. He is majoring in business finance and was named a 2009-10 Cleveland Golf|Srixon All-America Scholar by the Golf Coaches Association of America (GCAA). Young played in all 29 rounds for the Lancers this past year while leading the team with his 74.7 scoring average with two top-10 among seven top-20 individual finishes. Michael is the son of Terry and Jim Young of Oakville, Ontario, Canada.
Each VaSID member institution, including NCAA Division I, II, and III, NAIA, and independents, had the opportunity to submit student-athletes to be honored. Student-athletes were required to have a cumulative grade point average of 3.20 or better, must have achieved sophomore status, and could not have been in the first season of competition at their current school. All recognized student-athletes are either starters or key reserves for their team as well.
