Four Gator Softball Players Named Capital One Academic All-America Selections
Thursday, May 26, 2011 | Softball
A nation-leading four University of Florida softball student-athletes were named 2011 Capital One Academic All-Americans, announced Thursday morning by the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA) organization. The announcement comes a day before the Gators take to the field for their fifth straight NCAA Super Regional appearance, where No. 3 Florida will host No.11 Oregon at home in Gainesville.
Florida's four selections this year tie the four Gator Academic All-Americans from 2009 as the most in school history as seniors Kelsey Bruder (Corona, Calif.) and Stephanie Brombacher (Pembroke Pines, Fla.) represent the Orange and Blue as First Team honorees, while senior Megan Bush (Anaheim Hills, Calif.) is a Second Team selection and junior Michelle Moultrie (Jacksonville, Fla.) picked up her first Academic All-America honor with Third Team accolades.
Prior to 2011's announcement, the Gators had seven Academic All-Americans under head coach Tim Walton and now boost that number 11 honors in his six-year watch at the helm of the Florida program. Prior to Walton's tenure, the Gators had three Academic All-Americans in Kristin Sandler (1998), Beth Dieter (2000) and current assistant coach Jenny Gladding (2004).
| Did You Know… | ||
| Stephanie Brombacher is the seventh to earn three Academic All-America honors as a Gator. It is the maximum number allowed by the Academic All-America program, as student-athletes first become eligible for the honor as sophomores. | ||
| Name | Sport | Academic AA Years |
| Missy Aggertt | Volleyball | 1993, 1994, 1995 |
| Carlos Alvarez | Football | 1971, 1970, 1969 |
| Erin Baxter | At-Large (Soccer) | 1999, 1998, 1997 |
| Matt Bonner | Basketball | 2001, 2002, 2003 |
| Stephanie Brombacher | Softball | 2011, 2010, 2009 |
| Greg Reeves | At-Large (Swimming) | 1999, 2000, 2001 |
| Tim Tebow | Football | 2007, 2008, 2009 |
Brombacher became UF's first three-time Academic All-American after improving from the third team her sophomore season to second team her junior campaign and reeling in first-team accolades to top off her senior finale as a Gator.
After earning Academic All-District 3 honors her sophomore year, Bruder was an Academic All-American Second Team selection in 2010 before picking up First Team honors this year. Both Bush and Moultrie received their inaugural Academic All-America honors, as Bush was named to the Academic All-District 3 Second Team her sophomore and junior years in 2009 and 2010.
Also this year, sophomore utility player Kelsy Horton (Valrico, Fla.) was named a Capital One Academic All-District 3 First Team selection, tallying the fifth Gator to solidify academic honors through the 2011 season.
Bruder, Bush and Moultrie all picked up Louisville Slugger/NFCA All-Southeast Region honors last week, as Bruder and Bush were First Team selections and Moultrie was honored on the Second Team. Each of the three Gators will be in contention for All-America accolades this season.
To be eligible for Academic All-America status, players must have been named to the Academic All-District First Team and have at least a 3.30 GPA with at least sophomore standing, both academically and athletically, and completed at least two semesters at their current institution. Student-athletes must have played in at least 50 percent of the team's games in the season.
For a complete list of this year's University and College Division Academic All-Americans, visit www.cosida.com.
UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA ACADEMIC ALL-AMERICANS
2011
Stephanie Brombacher, First Team
Kelsey Bruder, First Team
Megan Bush, Second Team
Michelle Moultrie, Third Team
2010
Stephanie Brombacher, Second Team
Kelsey Bruder, Third Team
2009
Stephanie Brombacher, Third Team
Ali Gardiner, Third Team
Kristina Hilberth, First Team
Stacey Nelson, First Team
2008
Stacey Nelson, First Team
2004
Jenny Gladding, Second Team
2000
Beth Dieter, Third Team
1998
Kristin Sandler, Second Team
