Sheppard-Moore, Dent, Hatton and Davis Named March Scholar-Athletes by Center for Enhanced Performance

WEST POINT, NY - The Army West Point Athletics Association's Academic Support team has selected its scholar-athletes for the month of March, honoring women's lacrosse senior Malina Hatton, men's lacrosse senior Knox Dent and track & field's junior Samantha Sheppard-Moore and freshman Nathan Davis.

Malina Hatton '23
Cadet Malina Hatton, a Firstie and starting defender on the Army Women's Lacrosse team exemplifies excellence across all pillars at West Point. Noto Family Head Women's Lacrosse Coach Michelle Tumolo describes Malina as extremely hard working, poised, fearless, and the essential glue of Army's defense. Malina led the team in caused turnovers last season and is often tasked with guarding the opponents' best offensive weapons. Malina consistently provides calm leadership and experience on the field and makes those around her better – on and off the field.

In addition to her contributions as a leader of the lacrosse team, Malina has excelled in the classroom and as a researcher. She received the Superintendent's Award for Achievement and was inducted into the prestigious Phi Kappa Phi Academic Honor society, awarded to the top 1% and 2% of freshmen and sophomores respectively, earning an overall GPA over 4.0. She participated in research across her time at West Point as part of several projects. For example, as a member of the Multi-Functional Materials Laboratory at West Point, Malina researches magnetic field directed cobalt nanowires for use as energy storage, biosensors, and tissue engineering scaffolds for cell growth. She also conducted a research internship in the Disease Biophysics Group at Harvard University controlling heart cell growth on spun fiber scaffolds to engineer replacement heart valves. Based on this excellence, Malina was in the 2% of Cadets endorsed to attend medical school after graduation and earned admission to five selective medical programs.

CDT Hatton is also a leader in the Corps of Cadets, spearheading one of the most robust Academic Programs in the Brigade as the 4th Regiment's Academics Officer. She coordinated an outstanding tutor system that allows struggling cadets to get peer-led help. She also synthesized the calendar of tests for Cadets to highlight high stress weeks to enhance their preparation. Malina analyzes the data and grade deficiencies for 1,034 cadets and ensures subordinate leaders have access to the necessary resources to assist their companies. During her tenure, the Dean recognized three companies in the Regiment for Academic Excellence. She is a consummate team player assisting other staff members in task completion even when those responsibilities do not align with her duties and scope. Her mental agility and commitment to excellence set a sterling example for peers and subordinates alike.

Women's lacrosse's do-it-all defender, Malina Hatton, is a standout scholar, researcher, and leader who embodies the best of the Corps of Cadets as a leader of character.

Knox Dent '23
Knox Dent has demonstrated exactly what we seek in our cadets – relentless hard work and never-ending continuous improvement. Knox started his cadet career with a 2.97 GPA and serving as the backup goalie on the men's lacrosse team. Today, Knox boasts a 3.35 GPA and serves as the Army Men's Lacrosse Team starting goalkeeper.

Knox has earned an A in several of the toughest and most technical courses in the Department of Systems Engineering, to include EM384 Analytical Methods for Engineering Management and EM381 Engineering Economics.

On the field, hard work and continuous improvement earned him a role as the starting goalkeeper. He has performed beyond even the most optimistic expectations. The team is currently ranked 8th nationally, boasting an 8-1 record with their most recent win against Loyola, a perennial national powerhouse. It was a convincing and dominating win with a score of 10-5, and the eight saves made by Knox kept Loyola in the low single digits. Knox's active goalkeeping style and athleticism allows him to behave as both a defender and a goalkeeper, scooping up 13 ground balls and creating two turnovers on the season. Knox does all of this while balancing his cadet duties.

Knox has accumulated a 3.26 military performance score average, reflecting his discipline and high standards. Knox exemplifies so much of what we want from our cadet athletes. He is highly deserving of this recognition.

Samantha Sheppard-Moore '24

Mathematical Sciences Major with an Academic GPA last term of 3.845 (Currently ranked 60^th overall in the class of 2024). She wears both the star (3.67+ Academic GPA for 2+ consecutive semesters) and the wreath (top 15% of her graduating class)
Cumulative Quality Point Average is 3.406, reflecting excellence in not just academics but military and physical pillars as well.
Achieved an A+ on the Indoor Obstacle Course Test and scored 563/600 on the ACFT, demonstrating excellence in the physical pillar outside of her Corps Squad performance.
As a Junior, was selected to serve as a Team Captain for the Indoor/Outdoor Track and Field team (2023 Season).
Top female pole vaulter at the Academy, finished fourth at the Patriot League Indoor Championships in 2023.

"Samantha has improved every year that she has been at West Point. She is currently tied for #3 Indoors on the Army All-time list and #2 on the Outdoor Army All-time list in the pole vault. Sam brings a consistent work ethic to practice and a determined mindset to competition that has supported her results. She carries that same balanced approach to her leadership and academic life at the Academy. We often find that we can get the most out of people on our team because of their willingness to pursue excellence in everything that they do. Samantha is a prime example of this and we have benefitted greatly from her performance and her presence on our team. She is a star." - Director of Track & Field Mike Smith.

Nathan Davis ('26)

Freshman with academic GPA of 3.687 during his first semester
Cumulative Quality Point Average of 3.659 demonstrates excellence in all fields of demanding cadet life including physical and military disciplines
Named to the Patriot League Fall Academic Honor Roll during his first Cross Country season
Ran in the top 5 on the team at the Paul Short Invitational during Cross Country season
Scored in the 3000-meter run at the Patriot League Indoor Track and Field Championship and was in the top 3 runners for the team in that event

"Nathan was on our radar during the recruiting process but he had not performed at a level that was consistent with our expectations and was not a priority recruit. We invited him down to discuss his candidacy and he sat in my office in the winter of 2021 and I told him what he needed to do in order to be a member of our team. He told me that he would "get it done". At the time, I admired his confidence and his determination but didn't really think he was going to improve enough to be a contributor in our program. I was wrong. Not only did he improve, he finished 4^th in the New York State Meet (1600m) and has since become an immediate contributor in our program in both cross country and on the track. I have been impressed with his athletic ability, his determination and his competitive will but it is his character that has set him apart. He has all the tools to be a great leader and has set himself up for success in every pillar at the academy. There are more accolades to come for him both as a cadet and as an athlete. We are fortunate to have him on our team." - Director of Track & Field Mike Smith.

Army West Point Athletics

Sheppard-Moore, Dent, Hatton and Davis Named March Scholar-Athletes by Center for Enhanced Performance

Players Mentioned

Nathan Davis

Knox Dent

Malina Hatton

Samantha Sheppard-Moore

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