Cardinal Newman Soccer Captain Wins Scholar Athlete Award

Claire Kaminski received the Whataburger Friday Night Rivals Scholar Athlete of the Week award in Columbia.

Updated on Oct. 15, 2026 in Awards

Cardinal Newman Soccer Captain Wins Scholar Athlete Award

Cardinal Newman varsity soccer captain Claire Kaminski was honored as the Whataburger Friday Night Rivals Scholar Athlete of the Week. The South Carolina Army National Guard presented the award to the student leader at her school.

Why it matters

The award recognizes high-achieving student-athletes who balance competitive sports with rigorous academic and extracurricular responsibilities. Kaminski was selected for her leadership on the field and her service to the school community.

Kaminski maintains a heavy extracurricular load as student body president and a member of the Beta Club and National Honors Society. She earned the SCISA 4A Region 1 Player of the Year designation for the 2025-2026 athletic season.

The players

Claire Kaminski

She is the student body president and varsity soccer captain at Cardinal Newman.

South Carolina Army National Guard

This is a component of the United States Army and the National Guard that provides support and recognition within the state.

The details

In addition to her athletic success as a soccer captain, Kaminski is committed to continuing her education at Bridgewater College in Virginia. She plans to pursue studies in Health and Exercise Science while competing for the college soccer team.

Kaminski was named the 2025-2026 SCISA 4A Region 1 Player of the Year.
The award was presented to Kaminski at Cardinal Newman on October 13, 2026.

Culture Shift

This recognition follows the established pattern set by the Whataburger Friday Night Rivals program for highlighting local athletic and academic excellence. It reflects a broader trend of celebrating multi-dimensional student-athletes who balance governance with sports.

This achievement highlights the high caliber of extracurricular involvement expected of student leaders at local institutions like Cardinal Newman. Residents and students can see how balancing academic societies with varsity sports prepares athletes for future collegiate programs.

The takeaway

Students looking to replicate this path should focus on integrating leadership roles like student government with consistent athletic performance. Maintaining high academic standing through groups like the National Honors Society is a key factor in securing collegiate opportunities.