Barlow, Bonczewski and Edwards Honored as PNC Achievers Student-Athletes of the Month

EAST LANSING, MICH. – Michigan State Athletics and PNC Bank are partnering to recognize the PNC Achievers Student-Athletes of the Month. Throughout the 2022-23 season, deserving Spartan student-athletes will be recognized for displaying well-rounded achievement through leadership in the classroom, in the community, and in competition.
 
The honorees for February were Nala Barlow (women’s track & field), Jillian Bonczewski (field hockey) and Sam Edwards (football).
 
Barlow, a graduate student from Detroit, is a social work major. During this year’s indoor season, she placed first in the 400m at the GVSU Holiday Open with a personal record of 56.02. Barlow also qualified for the Big Ten Championships in the 400m (finishing 18^th) and the 4x400m (placing eighth).  Off the track, she is the team’s Diversity and Leadership Committee representative.
 

“Nala is truly an inspiring student-athlete,” said Shelby Spano, the Spartan women’s track & field academic coordinator. “Not only does she excel on the track, but she is an amazing student! Nala posted one of track & field’s top GPAs this fall during her first semester of her Masters in social work program. She has been able to successfully balance athletics and academics along with 16 hours of an internship for her program. This recognition is so well deserved. Great job Nala!” 
 
Bonczewski, a sophomore midfielder from Larksville, Pa., is a special education major. She is a two-time member of the NFHCA Division I Scholar of Distinction and NFHCA National Academic Squad. This season, Bonczewski appeared in 15 games, scoring her first career goal on Aug. 28 vs. Saint Louis. She has been heavily involved off the turf, acting as the team’s Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) representative, in addition to being active with Teams for Toys, student-athlete food drives, Operation Christmas Child, Be the Match and local blood drives.
 
“Jill has shown tremendous leadership and is only a sophomore,” said Brianne Wojciakowski, Michigan State Assistant Director of Student-Athlete Development. “She has participated in numerous community outreach opportunities and goes above and beyond to make a difference both in the community and in her role as a member of the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee.”
 
Edwards, a redshirt-sophomore linebacker from Williamston, is a political…