Nine Itawamba Community College softball players have been recognized as All-America Scholar Athletes by the National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) for finishing the 2013-14 school year with a 3.50 or better GPA.
Laken Shankle
Among those earning the honor was former Bruce Lady Trojan Laken Shankle, a freshman catcher and outfielder at ICC.
“I’m really proud of all the hard work the girls put into the classroom,” said MACJC North Division Coach of the Year Andy Kirk. “Academic success will always be something we stress in our program because the type of discipline that goes into taking care of business in the classroom is the same kind that is key to being successful on the softball field.”
The Lady Indians finished the season 37-14 overall and 21-4 in division play to win the program’s third-straight MACJC North Division crown while earning their highest ranking ever at No. 11 in the NJCAA’s final poll of the season.
In addition to excelling in the classroom, Shankle hit .369 with six doubles, three triples and was among team leaders with eight stolen bases.
Others earning academic honors were Sophomores Catherine Carver (Hernando), Rachel Elder (Guntown), Kory Watterson (Nesbit), and Ashley Longford (Caledonia) along with freshmen Cara Hopper (Caledonia), Hannah Johnson (Branson, MO), Haley Moore (Booneville), and Hannah Parks (Corinth).