Lady Cats place 17th for NFCA's highest GPA
MCKENZIE, Tenn. – Coach John Weekes expects excellence on the softball field but he takes even greater pride in how his student-athletes perform in the classroom.
The Lady Cats were recognized in the National Fastpitch Coaches Association's academic award program released Monday.
The Easton/NFCA All-America Scholar-Athlete Award is granted to student-athletes who maintain a 3.5 or higher GPA.
The team honor comes in the form of the Lady Cats boasting a 3.490 team GPA, ranking 17th in the NAIA division. Thirty-six teams were recognized in the release.
In addition to the team honor, 14 Lady Cats were selected for individual honors:
Melanie Alexander, Leah Beasley, Kirsten Eversole, Kennedy Gillespie, Gillian Grahn, Anna Johnson, Emma Johnson Madison Locke, Jenna Love, Brittney Minor, Kayla Reed, Alexa Thrasher, Alexis Wheeler, Madison White.
Coach Weeks commented, "I am very proud of the hard work all of my players exhibit in the classroom and on the field. Each one of them has managed the arduous task of balancing college academics and the demands of a collegiate athlete. Each player on this team is also deserving of recognition for their part in helping us achieve a top 20 NFCA NAIA Scholar Team award for the second straight year. It is also noteworthy, those players named have excelled above their peers academically and are deserving of their individual achievement. What we do in the classroom will ultimately carry us further in our futures than our athletic talents. I have always believed that the investment in your own education is the best investment you will ever make. Well done Lady Wildcats, Well done."