OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. — All-American Leslie Klein and 2004 Women’s College World Series All-Tournament team selection Camille Harris were two of 40 players named to the fourth annual USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year watch list, as announced by the Amateur Softball Association over the weekend.
The pair were two of eight players from the Southeastern Conference named to the initial watch list. LSU is among 12 schools, including three SEC schools, that have multiple players on the list.
Klein, a 2004 NFCA third-team All-American and Easton second-team All-American, was a member of the SEC and NCAA Region 3 All-Tournament teams as a freshman last season. The outfielder from Sunrise, Fla., broke the LSU single season records for home runs and total bases and ranked in the top 50 nationally in RBIs and runs per game and slugging percentage.
A member of the WCWS All-Tournament team last season, Harris was also selected to the NCAA Region 3 All-Tournament team. A second-team All-Louisiana selection, the junior outfielder from Hendersonville, Tenn., ranked in the top 10 in the SEC in triples and stolen bases. As a freshman, she was a second-team All-SEC selection and led the team in batting average and slugging percentage.
The USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year Award, considered the Heisman Trophy of women’s collegiate softball, is designed to recognize outstanding athletic achievement by female collegiate softball players across the country.
Former Tiger All-American Britni Sneed was one of 10 finalists for the award in 2002, while former All-American Kristin Schmidt was a top 10 finalist last year.
The 2005 watch list is comprised of 40 players that represent 23 colleges and 10 different Conferences. A list of 25 finalists will be announced on April 5. A player does not have to be on the watch list to be considered for the top 25, but once the Top 25 is named the remaining finalists must be pared down from that list.
Just days before the start of postseason play, a list of 10 finalists will be named and released on May 10th. The three finalists will be announced May 31st. The winner of the 2005 USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year Award will be announced at the 2005 NCAA Women’s College World Series in Oklahoma City.
A replica of the award is on 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.
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.
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2005 USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year Watch List |
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| PLAYER | TEAM | HOMETOWN | YEAR |
| Monica Abbott | Tennessee | Salinas, Calif. | Sophomore |
| Kelly Anderson | California | Woodland, Calif. | Junior |
| Caitlin Benyi | UCLA | Scottsdale, Ariz. | Junior |
| Gina Carbonatto | Pacific | Lake Stevens, Wash. | Sophomore |
| Kasi Carroll | Georgia | Norris City, Ill. | Sophomore |
| Meredith Cervenka | Long Beach State | La Crescenta, Calif. | Senior |
| Autumn Champion | Arizona | Tustin, Calif. | Junior |
| Megan Ciolli | Notre Dame | Terre Haute, Ind. | Senior |
| Christina Clark | Fresno State | Santa Ana, Calif. | Junior |
| Ashley Courtney | Alabama | Vero Beach, Fla. | Senior |
| Sara Dean | Auburn | Valencia, Calif. | Senior |
| Norrelle Dickson | Oklahoma | Orange, Calif. | Sophomore |
| Andrea Duran | UCLA | Selma, Calif. | Junior |
| Vicky Galindo | California | Union City, Calif. | Junior |
| Amy Harre | Southern Illinois | Nashville, Ill. | Senior |
| Camille Harris | LSU | Hendersonville, Tenn. | Junior |
| Alicia Hollowell | Arizona | Suisun, Calif. | Junior |
| Casey Hunter | Florida State | Millstadt, Ill. | Senior |
| Vanessa Lapala | Oregon State | San Diego, Calif. | Junior |
| Kami Keiter | Oklahoma | Arvada, Colo. | Senior |
| Oli Keohohou | Long Beach State | Newbury, Calif. | Senior |
| Leslie Klein | LSU | Sunrise, Fla. | Sophomore |
| Lauren Lappin | Stanford | Anaheim, Calif. | Junior |
| Dominique Lastrapes | Washington | Mission Viejo, Calif. | Sophomore |
| Jodie Legaspi | UCLA | Garden Grove, Calif. | Sophomore |
| Caitlin Lowe | Arizona | Tustin, Calif. | Sophomore |
| Jessica Merchant | Michigan | Wayland, Mich. | Senior |
| Brooke Mitchell | Louisiana-Lafayette | Pasadena, Texas | Senior |
| Nicole Motycka | Michigan | Sarasota, Fla. | Senior |
| Ani Nyhus | Oregon | White Rock, B.C., Canada | Senior |
| Cat Osterman | Texas | Houston, Texas | Junior |
| Jackie Rinehart | Stanford | Reno, Nev. | Sophomore |
| Kristen Rivera | Washington | Perris, Calif. | Senior |
| Jessica Sallinger | Georgia Tech | Kennesaw, Ga. | Senior |
| Heather Scaglione | Oklahoma | San Diego, Calif. | Senior |
| Jamie Southern | Fresno State | Clovis, Calif. | Senior |
| Kristina Thorson | California | Lake Forest Park, Wash. | Sophomore |
| Stephanie Van Brakle | Alabama | Chambersburg, Penn. | Junior |
| Kim Wendland | Georgia | Rock Island, Ill. | Senior |
| Veronica Wootson | Florida State | Fontana, Calif | Senior |