COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – The National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA) and EAS Sports Nutrition announced that Haverford College women's soccer player Jo Haller, baseball player Nick Ott, and men's lacrosse player Brandon Smith were named 2016 All-American Athletes. Last year, two Haverford athletes were named to the same award (NSCA release).

The award recognizes the three Haverford students' athletic accomplishments and their dedication to strength and conditioning. The three athletes were nominated by Haverford College's Head Strength and Conditioning Coach Cory Walts.

"The goal of strength and conditioning is to put our student athletes in position to perform in their sport and that's exactly what these three did," said Walts.

This past year, Haller, a team captain, led the team in every offensive category, including goals (10), points (26), shots (59), shots on goal (32), and game-winning goals (5). The midfielder's senior season included two separate five point games. She was named to the second-team All-Centennial Conference and NSCAA third-team all-region.

Ott was a major part of the baseball team's 2016 Centennial Conference championship and their imminent NCAA Mid-Atlantic Regional run. Ott's senior season was highlighted by a three-homerun day during a doubleheader against McDaniel in which he went a combined 5-for-7 at the plate. His standout performance helped earn him a nod at Centennial Conference Player of the Week. The catcher and designated hitter has improved his batting average every season and leapt from a .287 average his junior season to a .340 average as a senior, placing him third on the team for the year.

Smith, a two-time Centennial Conference Academic Roll honoree, and two year starter finished his Haverford career as one of the team's top players in the faceoff circle his senior year. The defenseman was also consistent in draw controls and ground balls throughout his career. One of the leaders of the lockerroom, Smith was named a team captain his senior season.

"The three of these award winners are all very deserving because they epitomize exactly what we strive for with our student athletes," said Walts. "They have many qualities that put them in position for this award. Number one, they are extremely hard workers. Number two, they make their teammates better through their work in strength and conditioning. And number three, they care about the entire athletic department and the Haverford community which shows in their pride with the program. Not only did they exude the intangibles, but their performance on the field was the final factor that put them in position to win this award."