Oklahoma City, OK—The Amateur Softball Association, the National Governing Body of Softball in the United States, announced today its initial watch list for the 5th annual USA Softball National Collegiate Player of the Year Award. This award, which is considered one of the most prestigious honors in women’s collegiate softball, is designed to recognize outstanding athletic achievement by female collegiate softball players across the country. Past winners of this award include UCLA’s Stacey Nuveman, Florida State’s Jessica Van der Linden and two-time winner Texas pitcher Cat Osterman.
The 2006 Pre-Season Watch List is comprised of 50 players representing 28 schools and 10 different NCAA Division I Conferences. USA Softball will announce its 25 finalists on April 5. A player does not have to appear on the initial watch list to be considered as a Top 25 finalist, but once the Top 25 is named the remaining finalist must be selected from that list.
Just days before the start of post-season play, a list of 10 finalists will be named and released on May 10. The three finalists will be announced May 31. The winner of the 2006 USA Softball National Collegiate Player of the Year Award will be announced during the NCAA Women’s College World Series in Oklahoma City.
A replica of the award will be placed in a permanent display in the ASA National Softball Hall of Fame in Oklahoma City, along with photos of the winner. An additional replica of the award will be presented to the player’s academic institution.
Osterman was selected as the 2005 winner after leading her Texas Longhorns to the Big 12 Tournament title and a berth into the Women’s College World Series. This marked the second time the southpaw from Houston, Texas was named as a recipient of the award and will be back for her senior season at Texas in 2006.
This year’s watch list contains six players who were among the Top 10 finalists for the 2005 Award including Michigan’s Jennie Ritter, Arizona’s Caitlin Lowe and Osterman who were the final three finalists in Oklahoma City.
The Amateur Softball Association, founded in 1933, is the National Governing Body of amateur softball in the United States and a member of the United States Olympic Committee. As the National Governing Body, the ASA is responsible for identifying, selecting and training male and female athletes to compete in World, Pan American and Olympic competitions.
2006 USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year Watch List:
(listed in alphabetical order)
Monica Abbott Salinas, CA Tennessee Jr. Pitcher
Caitlin Benyi Scottsdale, AZ UCLA Sr. Second Base
Tina Boutelle Katy, TX Texas Sr. Outfield
Courtney Bures Haymarket, VA Mississippi State So. Infield
Katie Burkhart San Luis Obispo, CA Arizona State So. Pitcher
Kasi Carroll Norris City, IL Georgia Jr. Pitcher/Outfield
Lauren Castle Lafayette, LA LSU Sr. Outfield
Autumn Champion Tustin, CA Arizona Sr. Outfield
Christina Clark Santa Ana, CA Fresno State Sr. Infield
Garland Cooper Mission Viejo, CA Northwestern Jr. First Base
Jennifer Curtier Lancaster, CA Pacific Jr. First Base
Holly Currie Pisgah, AL Auburn Jr. Pitcher/First Base
Megan Denny Crowley, TX Texas So. Pitcher
Norrelle Dickson Orange, CA Oklahoma Jr. Third Base/SS
Andrea Duran Selma, CA UCLA Sr. Third Base
Kristi Durant Placentia, CA Tennessee Sr. 3rd/Catcher
Sarah Fekete Maryville, TN Tennessee Sr. Outfield
Samantha Findlay Lockport, IL Michigan So. First Base
Courtnay Foster Tucson, AZ Northwestern Sr. Pitcher
Kristie Fox San Diego, CA Arizona Jr. Shortstop
Megan Gibson Spring, TX Texas A&M So. Pitcher/First Base
Danyele Gomez Metairie, LA Louisiana Lafayette Sr. Outfield
Tiffany Haas North Tustin, CA Michigan Sr. Second Base
Alicia Hollowell Suisun, CA Arizona Sr. Pitcher
Vanessa Iapala San Diego, CA Oregon State Sr. First Base /Catcher
Amber Jackson Fontana, CA Bethune-Cookman Sr. Shortstop
Chelsi Lake Keller, TX Baylor Jr. Infield
Lauren Lappin Anaheim, CA Stanford Sr. Shortstop/Catcher
Sara Larquier Burbank, CA Virginia Sr. Third Base
Dominique Lastrapes Mission Viejo, CA Washington Jr. Second Base
Danielle Lawrie Langley, British Columbia Washington Fr. Pitcher
Jodie Legaspi Garden Grove, CA UCLA Jr. Shortstop
Caitlin Lowe Tustin, CA Arizona Jr. Shortstop
Brianne McGowan Reno, NV Oregon State Jr. Pitcher/First Base
Micaela Minner Sanger, TX Missouri So. Outfield
Catalina Morris Sonoita, AZ Stanford Sr. Outfield
Marissa Nichols Diamond Bar, CA UNLV So. Outfield
Cat Osterman Houston, TX Texas Sr. Pitcher
Jackie Rinehart Reno, NV Stanford Jr. Outfield
Jennie Ritter Dexter, MI Michigan Sr. Pitcher
Amanda Scarborough Magnolia, TX Texas A&M So. Pitcher
Lindsay Schutzler Monterey, CA Tennessee Jr. Infield
Harmony Schwethelm San Antonio, TX Baylor Sr. Infield/Outfield
Christine Sheridan Pasadena, MD Georgia Tech Sr. Shortstop
Anjelica Selden Vacaville, CA UCLA So. Pitcher
Kristina Thorson Lake Forest Park, WA California Sr. Pitcher
Angela Tincher Eagle Rock, VA Virginia Tech So. Pitcher
Stephanie VanBrakle Chambersburg, PA Alabama Sr. Pitcher
Kristin Vesley Phoenix, AZ Oklahoma Sr. Centerfield
Emily Zaplatosch Scottsdale, AZ UCLA Sr. First Base /Catcher