ENGELHARDT NAMED GTE ACADEMIC ALL-AMERICAN

Softball pitcher Christine Engelhardt has become the first Southeast Missouri athlete to be named a Division I first team GTE Academic All-American.

Engelhardt, who carries a 3.92 GPA in pre-engineering, is the only sophomore to make the national team.

She compiled an 11-4 record on the mound in helping the OVC-champion Otahkians to a 33-23-1 record. She struck out 70 batters in 124 innings and allowed 84 hits.

"I wasn't expecting it," said Engelhardt. "It is a great honor. Coach (Lana) Richmond schedules games on the weekends so we miss as little class as possible."

"She is one of the hardest workers I've ever had," said Richmond. "She works hard in the classroom and on the diamond. Being Southeast Missouri State's first athlete to be a first team Academic All-American is even more special. It is great to know we will have her on our team for two more years."