Academic and Baseball Honors
National Merit Semifinalists and Minor League Baseball Award Winners Announced
Anonymous
Key Points
1
Seven students from Downers Grove were named National Merit semifinalists in the 72nd annual program.
2
National Merit semifinalists are selected from the highest-scoring students in each state among the millions of 11th graders who take the PSAT/NMSQT, which also measures readiness for the SAT.
3
High-A MVP Charles Davalan led the Midwest League with 128 hits, 29 doubles, 56 extra-base hits and 235 total bases, while also hitting 24 home runs and stealing 17 bases in 20 attempts.
4
Single-A California League standout Colby Shelton hit 37 home runs—16 more than any other player—along with a league-leading 1.047 OPS and 112 RBIs.
5
St. Andrew’s identified its eight semifinalists as Kavya Maheshwari, Patrick Liu, William Skelton, Johann Bhagat, Johnny Han, Victoria Petrosyan, Eloise Turnage and Melissa Khadivi.
The 72nd National Merit Scholarship Program has named roughly 16,000 semifinalists across the country, including seven students from Downers Grove and eight from St. Andrew's School in Mississippi—the highest number among Mississippi private and independent schools. Patch reported these students were selected based on their performance on the PSAT/NMSQT, a test that measures college readiness. The semifinalists are competing for approximately 6,700 scholarships worth nearly $24 million, with more than 15,000 expected to advance to finalist status.
In Minor League Baseball, the 2026 High-A awards recognized standout performers across the Midwest League and other circuits. Great Lakes' Charles Davalan won MVP honors, while Quad Cities' David Shields earned Pitcher of the Year. Single-A competition also produced impressive performances, including a California League player who hit 37 home runs—far more than any peer that season.
National Merit Semifinalists Face Rigorous Path to Scholarships
Becoming a National Merit semifinalist represents an elite achievement. Patch noted that students must score among the highest on the PSAT/NMSQT in their state, competing against millions of 11th graders nationwide. To advance to finalist status, semifinalists must submit detailed applications, maintain outstanding academic records, provide teacher recommendations, write essays, and complete additional SAT testing.
St. Andrew's eight semifinalists—Kavya Maheshwari, Patrick Liu, William Skelton, Johann Bhagat, Johnny Han, Victoria Petrosyan, Eloise Turnage, and Melissa Khadivi—represent the largest group from any Mississippi private or independent school. Ravenscroft and Wilton High School also reported multiple semifinalists, with Wilton naming six students to the honor.
Davalan's Record-Setting Season Earns High-A MVP
Great Lakes' Charles Davalan dominated the 2026 High-A Midwest League season, accumulating 128 hits and 235 total bases while driving in crucial runs. The MVP led the league in multiple offensive categories, recording 29 doubles, 56 extra-base hits, 24 home runs, and 17 stolen bases in 20 attempts. His well-rounded production across hitting, power, and speed made him the league's most valuable player.
Single-A Standouts Set High Bar for Promotion Candidates
California League sensation Colby Shelton put up historic numbers in Single-A competition, smashing 37 home runs—16 more than the second-place hitter. Shelton finished with a league-leading 1.047 OPS and 112 RBIs, dominating the hitting categories. Meanwhile, Quad Cities' David Shields earned High-A Pitcher of the Year honors, and Dayton's Alfredo Duno ranked as a top MLB prospect, signaling that prospects across all levels are climbing toward major league opportunity.
Sentiment
Mostly PositiveNEGATIVENEUTRALPOSITIVE
Publishers
25
Articles
3
Reach
28
A
AnonymousAuthor
