COLUMBUS - The Columbus State University Athletics Department and the Girls In The Game planning team announced the 2024 Girls In The Game Outstanding Female Student-Athlete Award Winners on Thursday, April 25 inside the Frank G. Lumpkin, Jr. Center. 
 
Each honoree was recognized at the 9th Annual Girls In The Game luncheon by presenting sponsor, the Hughston Clinic. Each winner was awarded a scholarship, a special certificate, and a Girls In The Game medallion. Assisting with the presentation was the keynote speaker, USA Soccer Hall of Famer and Olympic Gold Medalist Kristine Lilly, Chief Executive Officer of the Hughston Clinic, Mark Baker, and President of Columbus State University, Dr. Stuart Rayfield.   

The 2024 honorees represent the university's eight women's NCAA Division II sports: 

Gold Outstanding Female Student-Athlete - $2,500 Scholarship Winner 

• Zuzanna Rudenko, Basketball, Chemistry Major, Warszawa, Poland 

Silver Outstanding Female Student-Athletes - $1,500 Scholarship Winners 

• Abigail Akerson, Soccer, Psychology Major, Winter Springs, FL 

• Ansley Collins, Softball, Health Science Major, Greeneville, TN 

Bronze Outstanding Female Student-Athletes - $1,000 Scholarship Winners 

• Laura DeLaubert, Golf, Finance Major, Caen, France 

• Lymesha Henry, Cheer, Nursing Major, Milledgeville, GA 

• Meghan Koh, Cross Country, Chemistry Major, Columbus, GA 

• Syni Lacy, Track & Field, Health Science Major, Columbus, GA 

• Mariana Ramirez, Tennis, Masters in Business Administration, Pereira, Colombia 

These women were nominated by their teammates and coaches as the individual best-representing leadership, community service and sportsmanship in their respective sports. Scholarships are awarded from a Girls In The Game Scholarship Fund endowed in July 2021. 

In 2023, the Girls In The Game planning team founded the Named Endowed Scholarship Program, a scholarship program that will ensure permanent and annual funding for female student-athletes through generous donors. The 2024 Named Endowed Scholarship recipients were honored Wednesday evening with a private reception with their donors, Kristine Lilly and other supporter of female student-athletes.   

Named Endowed Scholarship Recipients of 2024: 

Mary V. Blackmon - Women's Athletics 

• Jillian Bretz – Basketball 

• Brooke Thompson – Softball 

Linda and John Shinkle - Women's Basketball 

• Olonna Rawls 

Sally and John Walden, Honoring Jimbo Davis – Cheer 

• Caroline Cranford 

• Halley Doster 

Sally and John Walden Cheer, Honoring Janet W. Davis - Cheer 

• Zaria Burns 

• Tybee Wilson 

Wanda Amos - Women's Cross Country 

• Zoey Roberts 

Ruth B. and James D. Yancey - Women's Golf 

• Sadie Norman 

Sue Maynard - Women's Soccer 

• Kelsey Croft 

Janet W. Davis - Softball 

• Madison McDonald 

Kathy J. Riley, Honoring Cora, Rosie, and Chandler Riley - Women's Tennis 

• Laura Pesickova 

Amy White - Women's Tennis 

• Sofia Lauretti 

The Davis Family, Honoring James C. Davis, Sr. - Women's Track & Field 

• Amber Johnson 

Established in 2015, the Girls In The Game mission is to advance and support Columbus State University's female student-athletes allowing them to reach their full potential academically and athletically while empowering them to become leaders in life. In 2019, eight female student-athletes were recognized as the first Girls In The Game scholar-athletes and received scholarship support from the organization. Since then, 62 female student-athletes have received over $54,000 in scholarships.  

Past speakers include tennis legend Tracy Austin, FIFA Women's World Cup Champion Brandi Chastain, World Golf Hall of Famer Annika Sörenstam, World Champion Softball Pitcher Jennie Finch, and WNBA Hall of Famer Tamika Catchings.