Trio of Deacs Earn ACC Accolades
2/26/2025 2:40:00 PM | Football, General, Women's Basketball, Women's Golf
Laurel Ansbrow (women’s soccer) and Nick Anderson (football) earned the prestigious ACC postgraduate scholarship honor from the conference office while Carolina Chacarra (women’s golf) was named an ACC Excellence Award recipient.
CHARLOTTE, N.C. - The Atlantic Coast Conference revealed its 2025 Postgraduate Scholarship recipients on Monday (Feb. 26), and Wake Forest saw two of its programs represented on the yearly list. Laurel Ansbrow (women's soccer) and Nick Anderson (football) attained honors from the conference. Additionally, the league announced its 2025 ACC Excellence Award (formerly called Honorary Scholarship nominees) list where women's golfer Carolina Chacarra was honored.
The Weaver-James-Corrigan-Swofford and Jim & Pat Thacker postgraduate scholarships are awarded to selected student-athletes who intend to pursue a graduate degree after completing their undergraduate requirements. Each recipient will receive $9,000 toward his or her graduate education. Those honored have performed with distinction in both the classroom and their respective sport while demonstrating exemplary conduct in the community and were approved by the league's Faculty Athletic Representatives (FARs) at the ACC Winter Meetings.
To be eligible for ACC Postgraduate Scholarships, nominees must have distinguished themselves both academically and athletically with an overall minimum accumulative grade point average of 3.0 or its equivalent. The student-athlete must have completed at least seven semesters and completed or will complete their baccalaureate degree, at an ACC institution, prior to receiving the postgraduate scholarship, and performed with distinction as a member of a varsity team specifically represented by local, conference, regional and/or national athletic recognition. The nominees also must have conducted themselves, both on and off the field, in a manner that has brought credit to themselves, their institution, intercollegiate athletics, and the ideals and objectives of higher education.
The ACC has selected postgraduate scholarship recipients annually since 1971. Over that time, the league has provided nearly $4.7 million to more than 1,000 ACC student-athletes.
"This year's class of ACC Postgraduate Scholarship recipients showcases the best of collegiate athletics," said ACC Commissioner Jim Phillips, Ph.D. "The student-athletes in the ACC consistently excel in both academics and athletics, as demonstrated by this remarkable group of nearly 60 individuals. Their dedication and commitment to excellence in competition and in the classroom is truly impressive. The future is extremely bright for these outstanding student-athletes, and we are excited to continue supporting them."
"Laurel, Nick, and Carolina have distinguished themselves as true scholar-athletes, excelling both in the classroom and in their respective sports," Faculty Athletics Representative Dr. Peter Brubaker said. "Their commitment to academic excellence and athletic success embodies the values we cherish at Wake Forest. We are extremely proud of their achievements and excited to see the impact they will continue to make in their future endeavors."
"With thousands of student-athletes across the ACC, it is a tremendous honor for Laurel, Nick, and Carolina to be recognized for their dedication to excellence in academics, athletics, and service," Vice President & Director of Athletics John Currie said. "Their hard work and leadership have left a lasting impact on Wake Forest, and we are grateful to Dr. Peter Brubaker and our faculty for their role in supporting and recognizing these outstanding individuals. We look forward to celebrating their continued success beyond Wake Forest."
This year's class of postgraduate scholarship recipients will be highlighted on ACC Network during live programming from March through June. Each of the ACC's 18 member schools will also recognize their respective honorees on each of the leagues 18-member schools. In addition, the ACC's 18 member schools will also recognize their honorees on each of their respective campuses.
WAKE FOREST HONOREES:
Laurel Ansbrow | Cary, N.C. | Health and Exercise Science
A leader on one of the best back lines in the nation during the 2024 season, Laurel Ansbrow helped Wake Forest reach its first National Championship match in program history. With 107 minutes against USC, Ansbrow surpassed 5,000 for her career while securing the Deacs' spot in the College Cup.
The Wake Forest defense only conceded seven goals during ACC play in 2024, the fewest in the conference as well as the second-most clean sheets with five. Additionally, 11 goals allowed in the regular season is the fewest in program history, beating the mark set a season prior by three goals.
Off of the pitch, Ansbrow was the recipient of the Elite 90 award for the 2024 NCAA Division I Women's Soccer Championship. She became the first Wake Forest student athlete for any sport to win the award. The Elite 90 is presented to the student-athlete with the highest cumulative grade-point average participating at the finals site for each of the NCAA's championships. Ansbrow held a 4.0 GPA throughout her time at Wake Forest.
Nick Anderson | Clifton, Va. | Communication
Andersen was one of the best tacklers in the country and leads the Demon Deacons with 122 total tackles (10.1) which is 28 more than the next closest player on the team. Andersen became the first Demon Deacon with 100 tackles in a season with Ryan Smenda Jr. in 2022. His 122 tackles are most in the Clawson era.
In addition to leading the team in this category, Andersen also is the ACC leader with the next closest player totaling 112 tackles this season. Andersen's 122 total tackles also ranks seventh nationally.
Andersen recorded eight interceptions during his career, including a pair during the 2024 season. He sits just outside the top 10 in program history and has the most in the Dave Clawson era.
Carolina Chacarra | Madrid, Spain | Psychology
Chacarra, the lone senior on the Deacs' 2025 squad, has been a mainstay in the lineup since arriving on campus in the fall of 2021. She was named the 2022 ACC Freshman of the Year after winning back-to-back individual titles in the spring of 2022 and helped her team in winning the 2022 ACC Championship. She is a three-time All-ACC selection, three-time WGCA All-American and three-time WGCA All-America Scholar. She has represented her country at the World Amateur Team Championships and represented all of Europe on multiple occasions, including Team International at the 2022 Arnold Palmer Cup. She has won three individual titles over her career and helped her team win 16 individual titles, including the 2022 and 2024 ACC Championships and the 2023 National Championship.
About the Weaver-James-Corrigan Award
The Weaver-James-Corrigan Award is named in honor of the late Jim Weaver, Bob James, and Gene Corrigan, the first three ACC commissioners. The league's first commissioner, James H. Weaver, served the conference from 1954-70 after a stint as the Director of Athletics at Wake Forest. His early leadership and uncompromising integrity are largely responsible for the excellent reputation enjoyed by the ACC today.
Robert C. James, a former Maryland football player, was named commissioner in 1971 and served in that capacity for 16 years. During his tenure, the league continued to grow in stature and became recognized as a national leader in athletics and academics, winning 23 national championships and maintaining standards of excellence in the classroom.
Eugene F. Corrigan assumed his role as the third full-time commissioner on September 1, 1987, and served until August of 1997. During Corrigan's tenure, ACC schools captured 30 NCAA championships and two national football titles.
Before 1994, the Weaver-James postgraduate scholarships were awarded as separate honors, including the Jim Weaver Award, the Marie James Award, and the Bob James Award.
About the ACC Excellence Award
The ACC Excellence Award recognizes outstanding graduates from our ACC member institutions. The goal of the award is to highlight the students embodying the student-athlete ideal. The brand of the ACC is our strong history of providing world-class education and competition. The awardees are exemplary students, athletes, and contributors to the community and society and serve as an example to their fellow students.
The Weaver-James-Corrigan-Swofford and Jim & Pat Thacker postgraduate scholarships are awarded to selected student-athletes who intend to pursue a graduate degree after completing their undergraduate requirements. Each recipient will receive $9,000 toward his or her graduate education. Those honored have performed with distinction in both the classroom and their respective sport while demonstrating exemplary conduct in the community and were approved by the league's Faculty Athletic Representatives (FARs) at the ACC Winter Meetings.
To be eligible for ACC Postgraduate Scholarships, nominees must have distinguished themselves both academically and athletically with an overall minimum accumulative grade point average of 3.0 or its equivalent. The student-athlete must have completed at least seven semesters and completed or will complete their baccalaureate degree, at an ACC institution, prior to receiving the postgraduate scholarship, and performed with distinction as a member of a varsity team specifically represented by local, conference, regional and/or national athletic recognition. The nominees also must have conducted themselves, both on and off the field, in a manner that has brought credit to themselves, their institution, intercollegiate athletics, and the ideals and objectives of higher education.
The ACC has selected postgraduate scholarship recipients annually since 1971. Over that time, the league has provided nearly $4.7 million to more than 1,000 ACC student-athletes.
"This year's class of ACC Postgraduate Scholarship recipients showcases the best of collegiate athletics," said ACC Commissioner Jim Phillips, Ph.D. "The student-athletes in the ACC consistently excel in both academics and athletics, as demonstrated by this remarkable group of nearly 60 individuals. Their dedication and commitment to excellence in competition and in the classroom is truly impressive. The future is extremely bright for these outstanding student-athletes, and we are excited to continue supporting them."
"Laurel, Nick, and Carolina have distinguished themselves as true scholar-athletes, excelling both in the classroom and in their respective sports," Faculty Athletics Representative Dr. Peter Brubaker said. "Their commitment to academic excellence and athletic success embodies the values we cherish at Wake Forest. We are extremely proud of their achievements and excited to see the impact they will continue to make in their future endeavors."
"With thousands of student-athletes across the ACC, it is a tremendous honor for Laurel, Nick, and Carolina to be recognized for their dedication to excellence in academics, athletics, and service," Vice President & Director of Athletics John Currie said. "Their hard work and leadership have left a lasting impact on Wake Forest, and we are grateful to Dr. Peter Brubaker and our faculty for their role in supporting and recognizing these outstanding individuals. We look forward to celebrating their continued success beyond Wake Forest."
This year's class of postgraduate scholarship recipients will be highlighted on ACC Network during live programming from March through June. Each of the ACC's 18 member schools will also recognize their respective honorees on each of the leagues 18-member schools. In addition, the ACC's 18 member schools will also recognize their honorees on each of their respective campuses.
WAKE FOREST HONOREES:
Laurel Ansbrow | Cary, N.C. | Health and Exercise Science
A leader on one of the best back lines in the nation during the 2024 season, Laurel Ansbrow helped Wake Forest reach its first National Championship match in program history. With 107 minutes against USC, Ansbrow surpassed 5,000 for her career while securing the Deacs' spot in the College Cup.
The Wake Forest defense only conceded seven goals during ACC play in 2024, the fewest in the conference as well as the second-most clean sheets with five. Additionally, 11 goals allowed in the regular season is the fewest in program history, beating the mark set a season prior by three goals.
Off of the pitch, Ansbrow was the recipient of the Elite 90 award for the 2024 NCAA Division I Women's Soccer Championship. She became the first Wake Forest student athlete for any sport to win the award. The Elite 90 is presented to the student-athlete with the highest cumulative grade-point average participating at the finals site for each of the NCAA's championships. Ansbrow held a 4.0 GPA throughout her time at Wake Forest.
Nick Anderson | Clifton, Va. | Communication
Andersen was one of the best tacklers in the country and leads the Demon Deacons with 122 total tackles (10.1) which is 28 more than the next closest player on the team. Andersen became the first Demon Deacon with 100 tackles in a season with Ryan Smenda Jr. in 2022. His 122 tackles are most in the Clawson era.
In addition to leading the team in this category, Andersen also is the ACC leader with the next closest player totaling 112 tackles this season. Andersen's 122 total tackles also ranks seventh nationally.
Andersen recorded eight interceptions during his career, including a pair during the 2024 season. He sits just outside the top 10 in program history and has the most in the Dave Clawson era.
Carolina Chacarra | Madrid, Spain | Psychology
Chacarra, the lone senior on the Deacs' 2025 squad, has been a mainstay in the lineup since arriving on campus in the fall of 2021. She was named the 2022 ACC Freshman of the Year after winning back-to-back individual titles in the spring of 2022 and helped her team in winning the 2022 ACC Championship. She is a three-time All-ACC selection, three-time WGCA All-American and three-time WGCA All-America Scholar. She has represented her country at the World Amateur Team Championships and represented all of Europe on multiple occasions, including Team International at the 2022 Arnold Palmer Cup. She has won three individual titles over her career and helped her team win 16 individual titles, including the 2022 and 2024 ACC Championships and the 2023 National Championship.
About the Weaver-James-Corrigan Award
The Weaver-James-Corrigan Award is named in honor of the late Jim Weaver, Bob James, and Gene Corrigan, the first three ACC commissioners. The league's first commissioner, James H. Weaver, served the conference from 1954-70 after a stint as the Director of Athletics at Wake Forest. His early leadership and uncompromising integrity are largely responsible for the excellent reputation enjoyed by the ACC today.
Robert C. James, a former Maryland football player, was named commissioner in 1971 and served in that capacity for 16 years. During his tenure, the league continued to grow in stature and became recognized as a national leader in athletics and academics, winning 23 national championships and maintaining standards of excellence in the classroom.
Eugene F. Corrigan assumed his role as the third full-time commissioner on September 1, 1987, and served until August of 1997. During Corrigan's tenure, ACC schools captured 30 NCAA championships and two national football titles.
Before 1994, the Weaver-James postgraduate scholarships were awarded as separate honors, including the Jim Weaver Award, the Marie James Award, and the Bob James Award.
About the ACC Excellence Award
The ACC Excellence Award recognizes outstanding graduates from our ACC member institutions. The goal of the award is to highlight the students embodying the student-athlete ideal. The brand of the ACC is our strong history of providing world-class education and competition. The awardees are exemplary students, athletes, and contributors to the community and society and serve as an example to their fellow students.
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