Reinertson Awarded CUSA’s Jim Castañeda Postgraduate Scholarship
6/5/2025 1:06:00 PM | Women's Lacrosse
LYNCHBURG, Va. – Liberty Lacrosse's Taiva Reinertson has been selected as Liberty's recipient of the 2025 Jim Castañeda Postgraduate Scholarship, the conference announced Thursday.
This marks the 17th year the award has been named after Dr. Jim Castañeda, who served Rice for 46 years as an educator, coach and Faculty Athletics Representative before he passed in 2008. Every season, CUSA grants the $4,000 scholarship to distinguished graduates selected by the league's Faculty Athletics Representatives and approved by the Conference USA Board of Directors.
A native of Apple Valley, Minn., Reinertson finished a stellar 2025 senior campaign as the team-leader in goals (57) and points (74). The team captain was named to the ASUN All-Conference first team and the ASUN All-Tournament team. Reinertson led the Lady Flames to their first-ever championship title and first-ever appearance in the NCAA tournament.
After four years at Liberty, Reinertson graduated this past spring with a 3.37 GPA with a bachelor's degree in interdisciplinary studies. Reinertson plans to earn an M.B.A. in executive leadership as she continues her education at Liberty. She was a two-time member of the CUSA Commissioner's Honor Roll.
Reinertson plans to return to the lacrosse team as a team shepherd. LU Shepherds exists to develop Champions for Christ by fostering a holistic community through peer mentorships, pastoral care, and life-skills training.
2025 Jim Castañeda Postgraduate Scholarship Recipients
Mathys Lefebvre, FIU, Men's Soccer
Hannah Buffington, Jax State, Softball
Tianna Rivera, Kennesaw State, Women's Soccer
Taiva Reinertson, Liberty, Women's Lacrosse
Autumn Smith, LA Tech, Women's Basketball
Kendall Maynard, MTSU, Women's Golf
Elizabeth Cervantes-Vanderlugt, NM State, Swimming
Jaylen Phillips, Sam Houston, Football
Ema Uskokovic, UTEP, Volleyball/Beach Volleyball
Brooke Sleeva, WKU, Women's Soccer
This marks the 17th year the award has been named after Dr. Jim Castañeda, who served Rice for 46 years as an educator, coach and Faculty Athletics Representative before he passed in 2008. Every season, CUSA grants the $4,000 scholarship to distinguished graduates selected by the league's Faculty Athletics Representatives and approved by the Conference USA Board of Directors.
A native of Apple Valley, Minn., Reinertson finished a stellar 2025 senior campaign as the team-leader in goals (57) and points (74). The team captain was named to the ASUN All-Conference first team and the ASUN All-Tournament team. Reinertson led the Lady Flames to their first-ever championship title and first-ever appearance in the NCAA tournament.
After four years at Liberty, Reinertson graduated this past spring with a 3.37 GPA with a bachelor's degree in interdisciplinary studies. Reinertson plans to earn an M.B.A. in executive leadership as she continues her education at Liberty. She was a two-time member of the CUSA Commissioner's Honor Roll.
Reinertson plans to return to the lacrosse team as a team shepherd. LU Shepherds exists to develop Champions for Christ by fostering a holistic community through peer mentorships, pastoral care, and life-skills training.
2025 Jim Castañeda Postgraduate Scholarship Recipients
Mathys Lefebvre, FIU, Men's Soccer
Hannah Buffington, Jax State, Softball
Tianna Rivera, Kennesaw State, Women's Soccer
Taiva Reinertson, Liberty, Women's Lacrosse
Autumn Smith, LA Tech, Women's Basketball
Kendall Maynard, MTSU, Women's Golf
Elizabeth Cervantes-Vanderlugt, NM State, Swimming
Jaylen Phillips, Sam Houston, Football
Ema Uskokovic, UTEP, Volleyball/Beach Volleyball
Brooke Sleeva, WKU, Women's Soccer
Players Mentioned
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