While accolades for on-field performances have their place, the awards presented for classroom work are more important for Seymour girls soccer coach Greg Musser.

At their awards program on Tuesday, Musser grinned ear-to-ear before announcing that 10 of his players made Academic All-State in 2016.

To qualify, the juniors and seniors had to maintain a grade point average of 3.7 or above.

Those honored for their studious accomplishments were: Marie Lenart, Rachel Collett, Grace Hartman, Katie O’Mara, Taylor Heckman, Annika Minton, Skyla Bowling, Taylor Bringle, Andrea Ferrer and Kayla Griffin.

Musser said that the team was one of the most studious in the school’s corporation, and he never had any academic issues.

Lenart, The Tribune’s 2016 girls soccer player of the year, took home the Most Valuable Player award. She also was announced as All-Hoosier Hills Conference first team and All-District.

On Nov. 19, she will play in a district showcase and All-State honors will be presented the following day.

A Top Team Player Award, another award given out by the state, was presented to Heckman.

Musser said that the award went to a player that played a ton of minutes while contributing in numerous ways to the team.

Griffin and Collett both made All-HHC honorable mention.

Bowling received the coaches’ award for her countless time and effort on and off the field with the program.

A most improved award went to Yaya Varela, who joined the team after not coming out her freshman year.

Mia Schrader was presented the junior varsity MVP plaque.

There were seven first-year letter winners on the Owls’ team this season.

The Owls finished 8-8-1 in varsity play while the JV went 9-1-1.

In one stretch, the Owls played seven games in nine days.

“We told the girls, especially the freshman, just how fast the season goes,” Musser said. “I thought the girls responded well. We played a lot of minutes all in a row.”

Musser thought the team reacted to adversity well.

We had some injuries and had to have some underclassmen step up. There were a lot of good things that happened this year. Our program is going in the right direction and I couldn’t be happier about it.”

Hartman, Griffin, Collett, O’Mara, Lenart and Ferrer all graduate from the program.