Softball Team GPA Ranked Fifth Nationally
Monday, October 5, 2009 | Softball
The University of Florida softball team's cumulative GPA of 3.49 was ranked fifth in the nation by the National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA). It marked the highest ranking in program history and the first time that Gators cracked the top 10.
Florida, the 2009 national runner-up, was the highest ranking team that made the 2009 NCAA Tournament. Southeastern Conference-opponent Alabama ranked 10th and, along with Baylor (19th) and DePaul (28th), were the only other tournament teams to tally top-30 GPAs.
“This is a great achievement,” Head coach Tim Walton said. “We are a well-balanced team, successful on and off the field. We take a lot of pride in our academics and I commend our players for their hard work. We are very fortunate to have such a great support system in the Office of Student Life and our players will walk away with a great education from the University of Florida and will be well prepared for life.”
Four Gators earned ESPN The Magazine Academic All-America honors, including pitcher Stacey Nelson (Los Alamitos, Calif.), who was named Academic All-American of the Year for the sport of softball and picked up first-team honors. Catcher Kristina Hilberth (Dunedin, Fla.) also earned first-team honors while first baseman Ali Gardiner (Waccabuc, N.Y.) and junior pitcher Stephanie Brombacher (Pembroke Pines, Fla.) were named to the third team. Juniors shortstop Megan Bush (Anaheim Hills, Calif.) and utility player Kelsey Bruder (Corona, Calif.) earned ESPN The Magazine Academic All-District III Second-Team honors as well.
Fourteen Gators were named to the SEC Academic Honor Roll, the most in program history, while all three freshmen earned SEC Freshman Academic Honor Roll standing.
Robert Morris was the top team on the list, garnering a 3.61 team GPA. Drexel (3.527), Indiana State (3.523), Tennessee Tech (3.509) and Florida rounded out the top five.
The Gators kick off their fall season with a matchup against Santa Fe on Wednesday, Oct. 14 at 6 p.m. at Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium.
