Pair Of Gators Receive Diplomas Saturday
Monday, December 19, 2016 | Softball
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – A pair of Florida softball student-athletes received their degree from the University of Florida on Saturday, December 17, as commencement ceremonies were held at Exactech Arena at the Stephen C. O'Connell Center. A total of 20 other UF student-athletes received their diplomas as well.
"Extremely proud of Kelsey and Kirsti earning their degree from the University of Florida," UF head coach Tim Walton said. "Just being around them and watching them grow up has been pretty fun to see.
"They are prime examples of what we are looking to recruit – kids that are committed to putting in the hard work in earning their degree. Winning championships is just a byproduct of that hard work."
Kirsti Merritt and Kelsey Stewart have spent the last four years with the Gators softball program and have played an integral part of the unprecedented success that the program has seen during their time here.
On the field their senior class compiled a record of 229-35 (.867), three SEC Championships (2013,2015,2016), one SEC Tournament title (2013) and two NCAA WCWS Championships (2014,2015).
The duo of Taylore Fuller and Taylor Schwarz received their diplomas and the full release of their graduation achievements can be found HERE.
Meet the Gators
Kirsti Merritt
Merritt, who received her bachelor's degree in Psychology, is a four-time member of the SEC Academic Honor Roll, two-time NFCA All-Southeast Region selection and made the 2014 WCWS All-Tournament Team.
Career Highlights:
Stewart, who majored in Telecommunications, is perhaps one of the most decorated student-athlete in the program's history. The two-time NFCA All-American earned the honor of being the SEC's Player of the Year in 2015 and is a three-year member of the USA Softball Women's National Team (2014-16). Those accomplishments are just a few of the many she achieved here at UF.
Career Highlights
UF Career Ranks
In Their Words
Kelsey Stewart
"My time here at UF and with the softball program has meant the world. There are honestly no words to describe what it's been like – all I can tell you is its shaped me into the woman I am today and that is something that I am the extremely proud of. There is no better feeling than saying 'I am a Gator' and not a single person can take that away from me."
Kirsti Merritt
"My time here was the best four years of my life. I came in as a freshman that had no idea what it took to be successful and had multiple people believe in and help me reach so many goals in softball and my academics. The biggest thing I will take away from my undergrad experience is how important relationships are in life – like the ones with my professors, teaching assistants, coaches and advisors – no matter who it is, their relationship matters and I will never forget them."
FOLLOW THE GATORS
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Head Coach Tim Walton on Twitter
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"Extremely proud of Kelsey and Kirsti earning their degree from the University of Florida," UF head coach Tim Walton said. "Just being around them and watching them grow up has been pretty fun to see.
"They are prime examples of what we are looking to recruit – kids that are committed to putting in the hard work in earning their degree. Winning championships is just a byproduct of that hard work."
Kirsti Merritt and Kelsey Stewart have spent the last four years with the Gators softball program and have played an integral part of the unprecedented success that the program has seen during their time here.
On the field their senior class compiled a record of 229-35 (.867), three SEC Championships (2013,2015,2016), one SEC Tournament title (2013) and two NCAA WCWS Championships (2014,2015).
The duo of Taylore Fuller and Taylor Schwarz received their diplomas and the full release of their graduation achievements can be found HERE.
Meet the Gators
Kirsti Merritt
Merritt, who received her bachelor's degree in Psychology, is a four-time member of the SEC Academic Honor Roll, two-time NFCA All-Southeast Region selection and made the 2014 WCWS All-Tournament Team.
Career Highlights:
- Slugged a three-run home run in Game 2 of the 2014 WCWS Championship Series as Florida defeated Alabama to clinch the first national championship in program history
- Hit a walk off home run in Game 3 of the 2014 NCAA Super Regional to beat Washington and send the Gators to Oklahoma City
- First freshman to ever be named the SEC Tournament MVP (2013)
- Holds the Florida single-season (35, 2015) and career (72) records for getting hit-by-a-pitch
- In addition, she holds the SEC Record for hit by pitches as well
- OBP – .467 (Fourth)
- Stolen Base Percentage - .900 (72-80, Seventh)
- Runs Scored – 210 (Third)
- Triples – 7 (Eighth)
- Home Runs – 36 (T-7th)
- Runs Batted In – 172 (Sixth)
- Total Bases – 366 (Ninth)
- Walks – 138 (T-2nd)
- Hit by Pitch – 72 (First)
- Sacrifice Flies – 10 (T-4th)
- Sacrifice Hits – 34 (T-4th)
- Stolen Bases – 72 (Third)
Stewart, who majored in Telecommunications, is perhaps one of the most decorated student-athlete in the program's history. The two-time NFCA All-American earned the honor of being the SEC's Player of the Year in 2015 and is a three-year member of the USA Softball Women's National Team (2014-16). Those accomplishments are just a few of the many she achieved here at UF.
Career Highlights
- USA Softball Women's National Team, 2014-16
- Following a USA Softball Selection Camp in January 2016, Stewart was chosen to play on the U.S. Women's National Team.
- Assisted USA to a silver medal at the 2015 Pan American Games
- Helped the Stars and Stripes to a gold medal at the World Cup of Softball X where she hit .350 in eight games
- Assisted the Eagles to a gold medal at the World Cup of Softball and a silver medal at the ISF XIV Women's World Championship
- Helped Team USA end their 2015 season with a Gold Medal finish at the Japan Cup
- 2013 USA Softball Junior Women's National Team
- Led the Red, White & Blue to a silver medal in July 2013 at the ISF X Jr. Women's World Championship
- Holds UF single-season records for triples (11), stolen bases (36, twice) and attempts (41)
- Set a school record for hits in a season (102) as a sophomore
- Owns two of the three 30+ steal and 100+ hit seasons in UF history
- During her senior season, Stewart was the NCAA active leader in games played, at-bats, hits, triples and she's was third in total bases and fourth in runs scored
- In addition, she was one of two active players in the country with 300-plus hits, 200-plus runs and 100-plus stolen bases
- Started and hit leadoff in every game during her four-year career, except one
UF Career Ranks
- Batting Average - .391 (First)
- Slugging Percentage - .557 (10th)
- OBP - .455 (9th)
- Stolen Base Percentage - .911 (113-124, Fifth)
- At Bats – 914 (First)
- Runs Scored – 259 (First)
- Hits – 357 (First)
- Doubles – 49 (Third)
- Triples – 29 (First)
- RBI - 148 (T-9th)
- Total Bases – 509 (First)
- Sacrifice Flies – 10 (T-4th)
- Stolen Bases – 113 (First)
- Assists – 396 (Fifth)
- Errors – 32 (T-9th)
- Double Plays Turned – 56 (Third)
In Their Words
Kelsey Stewart
"My time here at UF and with the softball program has meant the world. There are honestly no words to describe what it's been like – all I can tell you is its shaped me into the woman I am today and that is something that I am the extremely proud of. There is no better feeling than saying 'I am a Gator' and not a single person can take that away from me."
Kirsti Merritt
"My time here was the best four years of my life. I came in as a freshman that had no idea what it took to be successful and had multiple people believe in and help me reach so many goals in softball and my academics. The biggest thing I will take away from my undergrad experience is how important relationships are in life – like the ones with my professors, teaching assistants, coaches and advisors – no matter who it is, their relationship matters and I will never forget them."
FOLLOW THE GATORS
FloridaGators.com
Head Coach Tim Walton on Twitter
Players Mentioned
UT
/ Softball
OF
/ Softball
1B
/ Softball
INF
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