Bears’ Coyle is among scholar-athletes honored by the EPC

It’s not everyday that high school students get rewarded for their work in the classroom by getting half a day off from school, but that’s pretty much how it worked out for nine East Penn Conference scholar-athletes during Monday’s luncheon at Stroudsmoor Country Inn.

After all those hours put in the classroom over the years, what better way to start off the final week before the Christmas break than to enjoy a luncheon in Stroudsburg and get a free pass from school?

Each of the 18 schools from the EPC nominated a senior athlete for each of the nine fall sports under a three-tier criteria, weighing their top academic and athletic achievements, as well as extra curricular activities.

Pleasant Valley girls’ soccer player Sara Coyle, who is ranked first in her class of 433 and was a first-team EPC selection, was more than happy about being chosen.

“I’m really grateful to win this because I’ve worked hard academically all my life,” Coyle said. “Being recognized for my academic and athletic achievements is probably the best award I’ve been given in my life.”

In addition to Coyle, other honorees were:

Boys cross country - Matt Bodon (Stroudsburg)

Girls cross country - Emily Deschler (Central Catholic)

Field hockey - Morgan Mullen (Northampton)

Football - Gregory Bensley (Pocono Mountain West)

Golf - Thomas Munshower (Central Catholic)

Boys soccer - James Haag (Emmaus)

Girls tennis - Molly Ehrig (Bethlehem Catholic)

Girls volleyball - Alix Buskirk (Whitehall).