Sports Beat

Rider named South Region Scholar-Athlete of the Year

Barry University senior softball player Shyla Rider was named the NCAA Division II South Region Female Scholar-Athlete of the Year by the NCAA Division II Conference Commissioners’ Association (DII CCA).

Rider earned a 3.96 GPA as chemistry major. She was named a First-Team ESPN The Magazine Academic All-District III selection, as well as an NFCA Scholar All-America.

On the field, Rider earned All-SSC first team honors as an outfielder, batting .358 with 37 RBI and 39 runs scored. She ranked seventh in the conference in runs scored, ninth in RBI, and second with six triples. Rider started all 52 games for the Buccaneers, who advanced to the NCAA Division II Softball Championship and won the SSC league title.