UWEC's Lathrop earns prestigious WIAC Scholar-Athlete Award

Paige Lathrop excelled as an outstanding offensive and defensive player for the tradition-rich UW-Eau Claire softball team.

The senior outfielder from South Milwaukee repeated as a first team all-conference selection for a Blugold squad that finished 28-13 this season.

Lathrop was every bit as good in the classroom. She is an outstanding student with a bright future ahead after she graduates.

Lathrop definitely personifies the term student-athlete. And she was recognized for her commitment and dedication on Wednesday.

Lathrop was named the recipient of the 2026 Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Softball Judy Kruckman Scholar-Athlete Award.

“I knew I had been nominated and I was aware of the possibility,” Lathrop said Thursday morning. “This conference is so competitive, athletically and academically, that I didn’t know how it would turn out.

“It is really special to be recognized with this award. I am very honored to receive this. It means a lot.”

Lathrop majored in rehabilitation science and maintained a 3.89 grade point average in college. She is scheduled to graduate from UW-Eau Claire on Saturday.

UW-Eau Claire softball coach Leslie Huntington praised Lathrop for what she has accomplished.

“Any time one of our players receives the WIAC Judy Kruckman Scholar-Athlete Award it reinforces the overall value of, and commitment to, their educational experience at UW Eau Claire,” Huntington said. “Not only did Paige have outstanding performances on the softball field, she took advantage of so many opportunities she had academically to really immerse herself into her experience. It’s what I hope all our players do.

“As a coach, I’d take this honor and team wins over any other individual awards our student-athletes could receive.”

Lathrop is a three-time All-America Scholar-Athlete and three-time member of the WIAC Scholastic Honor Roll.

Lathrop has been recognized on the UW-Eau Claire Dean’s List and added Academic Distinction each semester. She has received an academic scholarship every year.

“UW-Eau Claire is a great academic school,” she said. “It is a special place and I received an excellent education. I knew I made the right choice by coming here.”

Lathrop was superb on the field for the Blugolds. She earned a Rawlings Gold Glove in 2025 as one of the nation’s elite defensive players.

She batted leadoff and compiled a .478 average this spring for the Blugolds. She scored 53 runs, had 34 RBIs and stole 24 bases.

Lathrop was a team captain as a senior. She landed on the NFCA Player of the Year Watchlist in 2025 and 2026.

Lathrop helped lead UWEC to the NCAA DIII tournament as a junior before the Blugolds fell just short of nationals this season.

“It definitely wasn’t the ending we wanted, for sure,” she said. “We have such a close team. I have formed some great relationships with my teammates here. They’ve been my best friends and biggest supporters.