SHIPPENSBURG, Pa. – Shippensburg University senior Josh Herbster was recognized Friday afternoon as a recipient of a 2023-24 Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Winter Top 10 Award.
 
To be a candidate for the prestigious PSAC Top 10 Awards, a student-athlete must maintain a cumulative grade-point average (GPA) of 3.50 or higher and be a starter or key reserve with legitimate athletic credentials. A total of five men and five women are selected as award winners after each of the three competitive seasons (Fall, Winter, Spring).
 
Herbster earned his undergraduate degree in biology (ecology, environmental and conservation concentration) in May 2022, graduating cum laude. He earned a graduate degree in biology in May 2023, and began pursuit of a second degree (geoenvironmental science) in Fall 2023. He boasts a 3.537 undergraduate grade point average and a 3.916 GPA as a graduate student.
 
Herbster is a two-time PSAC Top 10 honoree, having also been recognized for his exploits during the outdoor season in the Spring of 2023.
 
This year's male Winter Top 10 honorees span the sports of indoor track & field (Herbster, California (Pa.)'s Noah Bernarding, Slippery Rock's Joshua Gose), basketball (California (Pa.)'s KJ McClurg) and swimming (IUP's Luke Mikesell).
 
This past winter, Herbster was PSAC Champion and 2024 USTFCCCA All-Region in weight throw. His top mark -- 63-8.25 (19.41m) – was the best in the entire Atlantic Region and set a new Shippensburg University record. He also was a 2024 PSAC place-winner in shot put (8th, 51-3.5 (15.63m).
 
Herbster is a three-time USTFCCCA All-Region selection, five-time PSAC place-winner, three-time All-PSAC performer, and a one-time PSAC Champion over the course of his indoor career.
 
Outdoors, Herbster was a 2023 NCAA All-America First Team honoree in the hammer throw, placing seventh with a then school-record of 204-02 [62.23m] at the NCAA Championships in Colorado.
 
Herbster joins fellow Raider Leah Graybill (track & field) as a 2023-2024 PSAC Winter Top 10 honoree.
 
Shippensburg has totaled 79 all-time PSAC Top 10 awards – second only to Slippery Rock (80) for the most among conference schools. 
 
Graybill and Herbster's recognition makes it three consecutive seasons that a Raider has received a PSAC Top 10 award, as cross country's Garrett Quinan was honored with a 2023-24 Fall Top 10 award in January, and Herbster a 2022-23 Spring Top 10 award.