Coker Softball has Eight Honored for Academics

HARTSVILLE, S.C. – The Coker College softball team recently had eight players recognized as 2012 National Fastpitch Coaches Association All-America Scholar Athletes. Lauren Brailsford, Stacy Burr, Rebecca Dillon, Katie McElveen, Kristen Oliver, Jaclin Poole, Jennifer Sanborn and Ashley Thompkins were honored with the award.

The award is bestowed upon any player submitted by a member coach who achieved a 3.50 grade-point average or higher during the 2011-12 academic year.

Brailsford is a junior infielder/outfielder from Greer, S.C. She appeared in four games and scored one run in 2012. Brailsford is a double major in psychology and criminology, and was named to the Conference Carolinas Presidential Honor Roll and the Coker College Dean's List.

Lauren is the daughter of John and Kim Brailsford.

Burr is a catcher from Darlington, S.C. In 2012, she hit .341 with 10 home runs, seven doubles, 41 RBIS and 27 runs scored. Burr was named team MVP, and was a second team all-conference selection. She is a physical education and sport studies major with a concentration in exercise science.

Stacy is the daughter of Billy and Lisa Burr.

Dillon, a pitcher, graduated in May 2012. In her final season, she finished with a 6-7 record with a 5.77 ERA, 36 strikeouts, five complete games and one shutout. Dillon was an NFCA All-American Scholar Athlete in 2010.

McElveen is a junior infielder from Hartsville, S.C. She redshirted during the 2012 season. McElveen is a communications major at Coker.

Katie is the daughter of Earl and Trina McElveen.

Oliver, a utility player, is from Ladson, S.C. She appeared in 20 games in 2012, scoring six runs. Oliver is a biology major.

Kristen is the daughter of Kasey and Janice Oliver.

Poole, a shortstop, hails from Clover, S.C. She played in all 43 games in 2012, hitting .338 with 12 doubles, four homers, 30 RBIs and 26 runs scored. She is a physical education and sport studies major with a concentration in sports management.

Jaclin is the daughter of Richard and Mary Poole.

Sanborn is a junior outfielder from Beaufort, S.C. She played in 28 games in 2012, hitting .246 with four doubles, eight RBIs and 11 runs. Sanborn was an academic all-conference selection and named to the presidential honor roll. She is a communications major.

Jenny is the daughter of Kimo and Joy Sanborn.

Thompkins, a catcher, is from Aynor, S.C. She appeared in seven games in 2012. Thompkins was selected to the presidential honor roll and dean's list.

Ashley is the daughter of Johnny and Michelle Thompkins.

For more information, contact Chris Dougherty, manager of athletics media relations, at 843-383-8018 or cdougherty@coker.edu.

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Coker College readies undergraduates for personal and professional success through a distinctive four-year program that emphasizes a practical application of the liberal arts as well as hands-on and discussion-based learning within and beyond the classroom. Coker is ranked among the "Best Colleges" in the South by U.S. News & World Report as well as The Princeton Review. Located in Hartsville, S.C., Coker is within two hours of the cultural, financial and recreational resources of Charlotte, Columbia, Charleston and Myrtle Beach.