GREENVILLE, Pa. – Senior student-athletes Jared Curcio (Avonmore, Pa./Kiski Area) and Ashlyn Wightman (Pittsburgh, Pa./Shaler) will represent Thiel College at the Presidents' Athletic Conference (PAC) Scholar-Athlete of the Year Banquet, which will take place Thursday at The Chadwick in Wexford, Pa.
 
Curcio received the Dean's Key at commencement as an eight-semester Dean's List student. One of his class valedictorians, he carried a 4.0 grade-point average and was named a Student of the Month in February, an honor reserved for seniors and among the most prestigious student awards at Thiel College.
 
An early childhood and special education major, Curcio is a member of Alpha Chi and Chi Alpha Sigma honors societies. He qualified for the PAC Academic Honor Roll five times and was twice named a College Sports Communicators Academic All-District First Team selection.
 
Curcio excelled in wrestling and football. On the mat, he was a two-time PAC champion at 184 pounds and helped the Tomcats capture their league-leading 24^th title in 2023. On the gridiron, he led Thiel in tackles in 2023 (74) and ranked 12^th in the conference in average tackles per game (7.4). He tied for the team lead in tackles (50) in 2022.
 
Curcio volunteered at the Zion Education Center for an after-school program through Thiel football, at the Baughman Center in Greenville for an exercise and leadership program, and for the Thiel College Phonathon. He also worked for the Thiel Team (admissions).
 
Curcio was Thiel's MVP in 2023-24 and Dual-Sport Athlete of the Year in 2022-23. He plans to become an elementary school teacher and wrestling coach with his older brother, Vaughn.
 
Wightman is an eight-semester Dean's List student who carries a 3.84 grade-point average. She twice qualified for the PAC Academic Honor Roll and was named to the College Sports Communicators Academic All-District Team in 2023.
 
A business administration major with tracks in advertising & marketing and finance, Wightman is a member of Chi Alpha Sigma. She served as a student employee for Thiel's Department of Athletics and has volunteered as a coach for middle school girls lacrosse at Shaler Area School District.
 
A four-time All-PAC First Team pick in lacrosse, Wightman was honored as a USA Lacrosse NCAA Division III Second Team All-American on May 10. She was selected as the PAC's Midfielder of the Year on May 8.
 
Wightman led the conference in points (109) and goals (96) this season and currently ranks second in goals and 15^th in points in Division III. She also became Thiel's career leader in points (305) and goals (274) in 2024, surpassing Cassy Mahdi's records which stood since 2015.
 
Wightman was named a USA Lacrosse Magazine Division III Preseason All-American (third team) in February. She ranked second in Division III in 2023 in goals (102) and tied for 11^th in points (110), both of which were program single-season records. She also set a new PAC single-season record in goals.
 
Wightman plans to play her fifth season with the Tomcats in 2025. Upon graduation, she looks forward to serving as the marketing and social media manager for her family's event planning business in Conneautville, Pa.
 
The PAC launched its Scholar-Athlete of the Year Banquet in 2014 to recognize its student-athletes for their academic success, athletic achievements and community service efforts.