FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Mark Albanese, Assistant Sports Information Director, 630-637-5324
Complete NFCA All-America Scholar Athlete Team
Oct. 7, 2011-- Five North Central College softball student athletes have been selected as National Fastpitch Coaches Association NCAA Division III All-America Scholar Athletes for their performance on the diamond and in the classroom.
Mary Caron,
Erin Drennan and
Justine Walker all claim the honor for the second straight season while
Ashley Guest and
Vlasta Mangia earn the award for the first time in their career. To be eligible, student athletes must maintain a grade point average of 3.50 or above during the 2010-2011 academic year.
Caron, a junior organizational communications major, earns a spot on the Scholar Athlete team for the second straight year. The outfielder was a second team All-College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin selection in 2011, hitting .291 on the year with 16 RBIs.
Drennan, a senior elementary education major, claims her second NFCA Scholar Athlete award in 2011. The outfielder was a second team NFCA All-Great Lakes Region selection and a second team All-CCIW selection after finishing third on the team with a .367 batting average. Drennan drove in 28 runs while leading the team in doubles (12) and stolen bases (12).
Walker, a senior physical education major, is the third Cardinal to claim the award for the second year running. The outfielder/designated player played in 35 games for the Cardinals, finishing with seven extra base hits and eight RBIs.
Guest, a freshman accounting major, captures the honor after hitting .308 on the season while driving in five runs and boasting a .357 on-base percentage.
Mangia, a freshman accounting major, earns the NFCA Scholar Athlete honor for the first time in her career. The pitcher was a third team All-Great Lakes Region selection and a first team All-CCIW selection in 2011. Offensively, the two-time CCIW hitter of the week had a .333 batting average on the season with 23 RBIs and five home runs. In the circle, Mangia compiled a 12-7 record with a 2.17 earned run average, tossing 17 complete games including a no-hitter on April 10 against Saint Mary's College (Ind.).
North Central finished its 2011 campaign with a 26-14 overall record, winning the CCIW Tournament for the seventh time and competing in the NCAA Division III Tournament for the 10th time in program history and the third time in the last four years.
