Sailfish Student-Athletes Excel On and Off the Field

Sailfish Student-Athletes Excel On and Off the Field  

As an NCAA division II student-athlete, it can be challenging to navigate such a demanding schedule. Between classes, workouts, practice and trying to maintain a social life, finding a balance is no small feat. However, Palm Beach Atlantic University (PBA) strives to help students achieve excellence in every endeavor, and for the first time in PBA history, 35 student-athletes achieved a 4.0 GPA in a single semester, earning them a spot on the fall 2024 President’s List.  

Women’s Tennis Leads the Way 

The women’s tennis program attained the highest team GPA in the athletic department for the 12th straight semester, finishing with a 3.69. Six tennis players were on the President’s List for the fall 2024 semester: Frida Alsterhem, Virginia Borja, Ada Brown, Jelsyvette Croes, Alina Hoermann and Cecilia Peroni.  

Croes, a senior from Noord, Aruba, studying exercise science with a concentration in occupational therapy, talked about the sense of community at PBA helping her thrive.  

“PBA truly feels like a home away from home,” she said. “The community is warm, friendly and approachable. I’ve never felt alone here. There are so many resources and people you can turn to when you need help. Whether it’s professors, coaches or classmates, everyone genuinely wants to see you succeed.”  

Men’s Soccer Maintains High Standards  

The men’s soccer team finished with the highest mark among male teams for the second straight semester, earning a 3.45. Four soccer players were on the President’s List: Agustin Iusem, Rufus Roth, Noam Stein and Tin Vastic. 

Roth, a native of Marktoberdorf, Germany, will graduate from PBA in December 2025 with an MBA. He was drawn to PBA because of the coaching staff and the university’s well-established soccer program.  

“For me personally, this highlighted the school’s commitment to athletic excellence and personal development both on and off the field,” he shared. “PBA provides a well-rounded support system that allows me to grow as both a student and an athlete. Academically, professors are approachable and genuinely invested in student success… On the athletic side, the coaching staff is not only committed to our development on the field, but also to our personal and academic growth. They emphasize character, accountability and maintaining high standards in every area of life. The tight-knit community at PBA creates an environment where I feel encouraged, supported, and challenged to be the best version of myself—in the classroom, in competition, and beyond.”  

Overall, the Sailfish earned a 3.23 department GPA during the fall semester, and 15 programs finished with over a 3.0 GPA.  

PBA’s state-of-the-art, 78-acre Marshall and Vera Lea Rinker Athletic Campus provides top-tier facilities for training and hosting intercollegiate sports. Sailfish athletes compete in 18 NCAA Division II and Sunshine State Conference varsity sports. To learn more about Sailfish Athletics or to view the upcoming events, click here.  

Student athletes who made the 2024 President’s List are: