Athletes

Female Athlete News hosts an annual scholarship competition.

In years one and two, the scholarship was named the Linda Kreiser Female Athlete Scholarship. Kreiser is the second most winningest high school field hockey coach in the United States and former head coach at Lower Dauphin High School in central Pennsylvania.

The scholarship name changed to the Dr. Judith Benscoter Female Athlete Scholarship contest in 2025. It is named after the Benscoter family’s late Judy Benscoter, who was a reserve on the USA Women’s National Field Hockey team in the 1970s, orthopedic surgeon, and volunteer with the Special Olympics.

The first place winner of the scholarship will receive a $5,000 cash scholarship. The athlete will receive $2,500 before departing for her first semester of her freshman year.

At the start of the second semester, FAN requires proof of a 3.5 GPA before making the second payment of $2,500.

In 2025, we added a second and third place winner. The second place winner receives a $500 cash scholarship. And, third place is FAN swag.

Each contestant in 2025 had to create a ‘Hockey in 60 seconds’ video and write a 500-word essay. The video is 50 percent based upon votes/creativity, and the essay is 50 percent based upon votes cast on the website.

The Class of 2025 contest is happening March 13-16. Winners will be announced on March 17.

Also in 2025, the contest went national to include the states where FAN is read the most.

Class of 2023 Winner: 

Bianca Pizano, Wyoming Area, Michigan State

Class of 2024 Winner: 

Nina Angeli, Wyoming Area, Michigan State