Haeger and Walton Take on Hollywood for 2015 ESPYS
Thursday, July 16, 2015 | Softball
LOS ANGELES – Lauren Haeger and head coach Tim Walton of the back-to-back national champion Florida softball team enjoyed an exciting and star-filled night at the 2015 ESPYS in the Nokia Theatre in Los Angeles.
In addition, Gator Great Abby Wambach and the 2015 USA Women's National Soccer Team were awarded the ESPYS Award for Best Team.
After a record breaking and memorable senior season, Haeger was nominated for Best Female College Athlete and Best Championship Performance. Her competition was some of the biggest names in all of sports in each category.
- From @GatorZoneChris: Walton ESPY-bound to support Haeger
In the Best Championship Performance, four-time NBA MVP, LeBron James, won a close vote, while in the Best Female College Athlete category, Cal's Olympian Missy Franklin took home the ESPY.
“What a surprise that it was just to be nominated for two ESPYS this year,” the 2015 National Player of the Year said. “Both nominations are directly due to the hard work and effort of all my Gator teammates and coaches. It was an honor to represent them and Gator athletics at the ESPYS.”
The Peoria, Ariz. product became the third softball player to win the USA Softball National Collegiate Player of the Year, the WCWS Most Outstanding Player and the Honda Awards in the same season (also: Keilani Ricketts, Oklahoma – 2013; Danielle Lawrie, Washington – 2009).
In addition, Haeger is a two-time All-American (First Team – 2013 and 2015) and the 2015 SEC Pitcher of the Year.
Here's a glimpse at the rest of her stellar resume:
- 2015 NFCA First Team All-American
- 2013 NFCA First Team All-American
- 2015 USA Softball National Collegiate Player of the Year
- 2015 SEC Pitcher of the Year
- 2015 WCWS Most Outstanding Player
- Holds the SEC record for career home runs (71) and the Florida benchmark for career RBI (260)
- Carries a 73-12 career pitching record. Her 71 homeruns and 73 wins makes her and Babe Ruth (yes, that Babe Ruth) the only players NCAA softball, NCAA baseball or Major League Baseball history to hit 70+ home runs and win 70+ games in a career.
- Finished the 2015 season with a 32-2 record after beginning the year with 24 consecutive victories to mark the best start to a campaign in Gator history
- Earned the win in Game 1 of each of Florida's eight SEC series
The ESPY Awards, in its 23rd year, honor the best in sports and celebrate the best sports stories of the year.
