2002 FSU SOFTBALL TEAM RECOGNIZED AMONG TOP ACADEMIC SQUADS
Bulldogs Repeat As One of The Nation’s Top Academic Teams
Big Rapids, Mich. – For the second consecutive year, the Ferris State University softball team has placed among the top 10 2002 National Fastpitch Coaches Association’s (NFCA) NCAA Division II All-Academic Teams as the Bulldogs finished fourth overall. The announcement was made by the NFCA.
The selection of the NFCA All-Academic teams were based on cumulative grade-point averages submitted by NFCA member head coaches for the 2001-02 academic year. The NFCA honored the top 10 academic teams in six membership categories – NCAA Divisions I, II and III; NAIA; junior college and high school. FSU finished 10th in the 2001 NFCA academic standings with a 3.369 gpa.
Ferris State compiled a 3.474 cumulative grade point average (gpa) and joined the University of Findlay (Ohio) as the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) representatives to place among the top 10. Findlay was recognized as the top academic team for the second consecutive year with a 3.691 team gpa. The Mississippi University for Women placed second with a 3.590 gpa while Central Missouri State finished third as a result of registering a 3.516 gpa.
“This recognition speaks well to our athletics department’s philosophy of academics first and winning second,” said head coach Keri Becker. “We (softball program) take great pride in trying to beat the rest of the country not only on the field, but most importantly in the classroom.”
Individually, nine team members were honored as 2002 NFCA Scholar-Athletes which was based upon registering a 3.5 grade point average for the academic year. The group included senior pitcher Jennifer Colvin (Union City), freshman outfielder Sadie Duerloo (Allegan), freshman second baseman-outfielder Navreet Gill (Brampton, Ontario/Mayfield Secondary), sophomore outfielder Jessica Laidlaw (Kentwood/Wyoming Kelloggsville), sophomore shortstop Nicki Merchant (Wayland), sophomore third baseman Dana Peuler (Wyoming/Rogers), freshman second baseman Carrie Shine (St. Clair), freshman catcher Melissa Worsley (Midland) and freshman outfielder Jessie Wright (Sand Lake/Tri-County).
The Bulldogs concluded the 2002 season at 16-29 overall, which included a 7-13 GLIAC mark.
Ferris State opens its 2003 season March 1-2 with the Bulldogs competing in the Catawba Invitational at Salisbury, N.C.
|
