August 15, 2005

For More Information, Contact: Keith Gentry (901) 333-4114 / Kimberly Stark (901) 333-4023/ (901) 489-4771

SOUTHWEST SOFTBALL PLAYERS RECEIVE ACADEMIC AWARDS
Release written by Keith Gentry

Five Southwest softball players have been honored by the Tennessee Junior and Community College Athletic Association for their outstanding work in the classroom. The following student/athletes received the TJCCAA’s Academic Achievement Award: sophomores Jessica Laubacker, Katie Cerrito, Erin Cook, and Heather Bryant, and freshman Crystal Smith.

To be considered for the award, sophomores must have earned an overall grade point average of 3.0 or above, with at least 48 hours credit of college level work. Freshmen must have earned an overall GPA of 3.2 or above, with at least 24 hours credit of college level work.

Laubacker, a native of Newfane, New York now living in Collierville, had the highest GPA at 3.82 and also received Distinguished All-American status by the NJCAA. Laubacker will complete her degree requirements this summer, graduating from Southwest with an Associate of Science degree in General Studies. She will attend the University of Memphis beginning this fall, pursuing a degree in Political Science. Laubacker was a two-year starter at second base for the Lady Saluqis and made the All-Western Division team as a freshman. As a sophomore, she batted .260 with 22 runs scored, 17 runs batted in, and led the team with 11 sacrifice bunts.

Cerrito, a product of Houston High School in Germantown, had a 3.73 GPA and graduated Magna Cum Laude from Southwest in May, 2005 with an Associate of Science degree in Education. Cerrito will attend the University of Memphis beginning this fall and will major in Education. In her two-year career with the Lady Saluqis, Cerrito won seven games as a pitcher and stuck out 85 batters. As a sophomore, she won four games with a 3.60 earned run average and led the team with 22 games started. Cerrito also batted .254 last spring, was third on the team with five sacrifice bunts, and was one of the top fielders with a .947 average.

Cook, a graduate of Cordova High School, transferred to Southwest from Dyersburg State Community College and earned a cumulative 3.67 GPA for her two years. Cook has been accepted into the Physical Therapist Assistant Program at Southwest and plans to graduate in May, 2006. As a sophomore at Southwest, Cook batted .281 with 18 runs batted in, and was among the team leaders with a .955 fielding average.

Bryant, who came to Southwest from Brighton High School, carried a 3.122 GPA in her two years at the College. Her sophomore year, Bryant batted .248 and led the team in doubles, home runs, walks, and assists. As a freshman, she batted .276, led the team in walks, and was second in doubles. In her career, Bryant set Southwest career records for doubles, home runs, and walks. She will continue her education and softball career this fall at Mid-Continent University in Mayfield, Kentucky.

Smith, from Horn Lake (MS) High School, compiled a 3.741 GPA her freshman year, including a perfect 4.0 during the fall semester. Smith played in 43 games last spring and was one of the Lady Saluqis’ top fielders with a .939 average. She has been accepted into the Physical Therapist Assistant Program at Southwest.