The athletics achievements, academic prowess, community service, and leadership of Chico State's student-athletes are constantly amazing those paying attention. So, it takes an especially special student-athlete to stand out from such an exceptional crowd.
 
Sarah Emigh is certainly something special. She is one of only three California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) women's soccer players to be selected for College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA) Academic All-District honors, announced Thursday. The junior from Martinez will now be on the Academic All-America ballot. Academic All-America honorees will be announced in early December.
 
A remarkable student double-majoring in pre-nursing and psychology, Emigh has applied for Chico State's prestigious nursing program. She earned the 2018 California Collegiate Athletic Association Championship Scholar Award for owning the highest cumulative grade point average out of all of the student-athletes at the championships site.
 
An exceptional athlete, Emigh earned First Team All-West Region and First Team All-CCAA honors for her play as a midfielder last season. She is almost always around the ball, relentlessly challenging the opposition and winning the great majority those battles. And despite the defensive focus of her position, she's accounted for career totals of four goals and four assists.
 
Emigh is also a charismatic leader: the player that most of her teammates look to for empathy, energy, and inspiration.
 
Emigh is one of three midfielders selected to the team of 12, chosen from all NCAA Division II women's soccer teams in the West Region.
 
She and the Wildcats are currently fighting for their third consecutive CCAA Tournament berth and host Cal State East Bay tonight (Thursday) at 7 p.m. at University Soccer Stadium.