WALLA WALLA, Wash. – Hillary Chisholm, a senior defender on the Whitman College women's soccer team, has earned Academic All-District honors for the second time in two seasons.
Chisholm is one of 11 players named to ESPN The Magazine's Academic All-District First Team in the College Division of District VIII, which represents all NAIA and NCAA Div. II and Div. III schools in the states of Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Alaska, Hawaii, California, Utah, Nevada and Arizona, as well as British Columbia.
Chisholm’s older brother, Tyler, earned Academic All-District honors as a senior defender on the men’s soccer team in the fall of 2003.
Chisholm, who plays her final college games tonight and Saturday, is one of three defenders named to this fall's academic all-district team. She is one of only five players from the Northwest Conference to make the squad.
Chisholm is now eligible for election to the Academic All-America Team for women's soccer. That voting takes place later this fall.
In the 5-foot-8 Chisholm's three years as a defensive starter, Whitman has shut out 15 opponents. "Hillary’s height and speed combined with her vision of the field make her a tremendous defender," Whitman coach Scott Shields says. "Her ability to read the game as it happens is the key. That’s what allows her to intercept passes from attacking players."
Chisholm came to Whitman as a midfielder but made the transition to defense at the start of her sophomore season. "Her ability and poise with the ball allowed us to use stronger defensive tactics, using her ability to both defend and get forward on the attack," Shields says. "She is a very versatile player, and she reads the game better than most players."
In addition to her work on defense this season, Chisholm has contributed a game-winning goal and a game-winning assist, duplicating a feat she accomplished during her sophomore season.
Chisholm, who has a cumulative grade point average of 3.90, has earned Academic Distinction in each of her semesters at Whitman. She is majoring in art history and visual studies with a minor in chemistry. After graduating next spring, she to volunteer in an overseas medical mission while applying to medical school. Last summer, she worked a job shadow with a Seattle physician. Two summers ago, she worked as an intern in the Emergency Department of the Kootenai Medical Center in Coeur d’Alene. Her volunteer activities include the Whitman Mentoring Program and Whitman Storytime Project.
A graduate of Lake City High School in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, Chisholm is the daughter of Dr. Donald & Robin Chisholm of Coeur d’Alene.
The College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA) administers the Academic All-District/All-America program's nomination and voting process.