National Collegiate Athletic Association

The NCAA News - News & Features

July 8, 1996

GTE Academic All-America women's softball team announced

A Southern Illinois outfielder and Hamilton infielder lead the university- and college-division GTE Academic All-America women's softball teams, respectively, as team members of the year.

Christine Knotts, a senior at Southern Illinois, was honored as the player in the university division who best represents the qualities of an Academic All-America team member. She compiled a 3.960 grade-point average (4.000 scale) as a mechanical engineering student.

In the college division, Hamilton's Karen Werkhoven was honored. The senior infielder compiled a 4.000 GPA in mathematics.

The GTE Academic All-America teams are selected by a vote of the 1,800-member College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA). To be eligible, an athlete must be a varsity starter or key reserve and maintain a cumulative GPA of at least 3.200.

Following are this year's Academic All-America teams in women's softball.

University division

First team

Pitchers -- Tracie Podratsky, East Carolina, 3.460 in elementary education; Jenni Allerding, Kent, 3.580 in special education.

Catcher -- Wendy McKibbin, Jacksonville State, 3.510 in exercise science.

Infielders -- Jennifer Dalton, Arizona, 3.330 in elementary education; Christine Kubin, North Carolina, 3.750 in pharmacy; Patti Raduenz, Michigan State, 3.590 in parks and recreation resources; Jen Weaver, Towson State, 3.320 in mass communication.

Outfielders -- Denelle Hicks, Campbell, 3.470 in public administration; Christine Knotts, Southern Illinois, 3.960 in mechanical engineering; Tasha Reents, Iowa, 3.710 in prephysical therapy.

Designated hitter -- Ann Shelton, Jacksonville State, 3.590 in special education.

Second team

Pitchers -- Joy Battersby, Notre Dame, 3.650 in preprofessional science/psychology; Kelly Holmes, Michigan, 3.280 in accounting.

Catcher -- Lisa Kraxner, Southeast Missouri State, 3.780 in psychology.

Infielders -- Michelle Church, Washington, 3.430 in English; Meghan Murray, Notre Dame, 3.310 in finance; Alleah Poulson, UCLA, 3.440 in sociology; Kim Rondina, UNLV, 3.680 in athletic training.

Outfielders -- Jamie Hahn, Virginia, 3.420 in psychology/elementary education; Stacy Thurber, Princeton, 3.780 in chemistry; Robyn Yorke, Fresno State, 3.370 in liberal studies.

Designated hitter -- Katie Marten, Notre Dame, 3.330 in arts and letters/preprofessional.

Third team

Pitchers -- Jennifer Crabb, Temple, 3.540 in chemistry; Vanessa Fawcett, Georgia Southern, 3.410 in math education.

Catcher -- Julie Glasser, Furman, 3.610 in health/education science.

Infielders -- Lynn Britton, Southwestern Louisiana, 3.240 in English; Stephanie DeFeo, Southwestern Louisiana, 3.320 in criminal justice; Stacy Hughes, Tennessee Tech, 3.310 in psychology; Andrea Miller, Austin Peay, 3.430 in mathematics.

Outfielders -- Karla Knicely, Nebraska, 3.930 in health/physical education/recreation; Jenna Knudson, Notre Dame, 3.500 in government; Cyndi Malone, New Mexico State, 3.640 in health science.

Designated hitter -- Lori Graham, Canisius, 3.230 in physical education/exercise science.

College division

First team

Pitchers -- Jeree Carlson, Morningside, 3.530 in biology; Rochelle Dierkes, California (Pennsylvania), 3.200 in optometry.

Catcher -- Sunny Montas, Trenton State, 3.550 in law and justice.

Infielders -- Lynne Fischer, Nebraska Wesleyan, 3.950 in education; Lisa Luckmeier, Westminster (Pennsylvania), 3.910 in mathematics/computer science; Melissa Sutton, Ohio Northern, 3.970 in accounting; Karen Werkhoven, Hamilton, 4.000 in mathematics.

Outfielders -- Abby Kennedy, Allegheny, 3.700 in chemistry; Nicole Kiwak, Ursinus, 3.890 in biology; Amy Strieter, Indianapolis, 3.830 in accounting.

Designated hitter -- Elizabeth Bartels, Rollins, 3.510 in environmental studies.

Second team

Pitchers -- Kris Gorman, St. Benedict, 3.930 in art; Mitzi Groves, Oklahoma City, 3.670 in accounting.

Catcher -- Ginger Daniel, Missouri Southern State, 3.530 in biology.

Infielders -- Kerri Camuso, Springfield, 3.430 in physical education; Christine Cleland, Albion, 3.630 in physical education/education; Jill McCaslin, Nebraska-Kearney, 3.590 in history/education; Becky Waughop, Augustana (Illinois), 3.780 in English/secondary education.

Outfielders -- Laurie Byington, Hope, 3.680 in psychology; Dawn Neighbarger, Baldwin-Wallace, 3.870 in art education; Traci Wood, Florida Southern, 3.440 in criminology/sociology; Tracy Young, Skidmore, 3.950 in biology.

Designated hitter -- Lori Lennon, Ursinus, 3.500 in psychology.

Third team

Pitchers -- Kathy Georgina, Springfield, 3.270 in physical education; Karri Roh, Edgewood, 3.740 in biology/education.

Catcher -- Heather Green, North Central, 4.000 in speech communication/English.

Infielders -- Karen Bertram, Dana, 3.930 in accounting/mathematics; Sara Brenner, Binghamton, 3.940 in marketing; Kerri McMahon, Quinnipiac, 3.670 in physical therapy; Amber Peterson, Missouri Southern State, 4.000 in criminal justice.

Outfielders -- Chrissy Elliott, Lenoir-Rhyne, 3.600 in business math; Kelly Gustafson, Pittsburg State, 3.880 in elementary education.

Designated hitter -- Maryann Rist, Ohio Northern, 3.500 in accounting.