COLORADO SPRINGS (4/20/2018) -- Six University of Detroit Mercy student-athletes and standouts in the strength and conditioning room have received 2017-18 NSCA All-American Strength & Conditioning Athlete of the Year honors, it was announced earlier this month by the organization.

The National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA) recognizes collegiate and high school athletes, whose athletic accomplishments, in the opinion of their strength coach, reflect the dedication to strength training and conditioning. These athletes are also recognized for their academic and personal accomplishments and their integrity as student-athletes.

Adam Clauss (Grand Haven, Mich. / Spring Lake) and Matt DeVries (Grand Rapids, Mich. / Forest Hills Eastern) of men's soccer, softball's Savvy Ferstle (Temecula, Calif. / Great Oak), Brittany Fenney (Mississauga, Ont.) and Emma Mucci (Bloomfield Hills, Mich.) of women's lacrosse and Nathan Ponton (Victoria, Australia / Rowville Secondary) of men's tennis all earn the All-American Strength & Conditioning Athlete of the Year accolades as seniors.

"All six are true Titans whether it be in strength training and conditioning, in the classroom or in athletic competition," Director of Strength & Conditioning Nick Wilson said. "Each student-athlete is very deserving of this national honor."

DeVries just recently earned the Larry Bleach award at the year-end Titan Athletic & Academic Awards banquet. The honor is presented to the male and female student-athlete who sets the strength and conditioning standards for others to follow. Fenney earned the honor during the 2016-17 school year as a junior.

Check out each student-athlete's full profiles at the NSCA website.

More than 500 All-American Athletes of the Year were recognized for the 2017-18 academic school year, representing more than 230 institutions.