As members of the Lee University softball team get ready for a new school year to begin in a couple of weeks and point toward the upcoming 2025 season, the Easton/NFCA released its 2023-24 academic honors. Coach Emily Russell and her Lady Flames were named one of the best nationally.
The rankings and honors recognize the academic prowess of softball teams across the Association’s membership categories. A total of 1,510 NCAA Division II softball players carried an overall 3.5 grade-point average or higher for 2023-24. Lee was listed as 47th best academically (GPA of 3.564) and 17 Lady Flames were singled out for their classroom work. The team was tied with Auburn University-Montgomery for the most individual Easton/NFCA All-America Scholar-Athletes in the Gulf South Conference with 17.
Lee players listed as individual scholars were Madison Barnett, Kylie Bohl, Shelby Cole, Brooklyn Deaver, Bella Galloway, Rylie Goodridge, Laney Harris, Abygail Jarvi, Alyson Jarvi, Natalie Pruitt, Alexa Scalzo, Hailey Simco, Javaria Smith, Olivia Tyson, Alaina Watson, Abigail Welbaum, and Katie Willoughby.
Said Coach Russell, “I am always very proud of the academic accomplishments of the team and the individual athletes. They work with such intent to be model students in the classroom. These recognitions are a definite reward for all their sacrifices.”
Lee Athletic Director John Maupin also offered praise for the team and individuals. “I am extremely proud of our softball program and each of these student athletes for what they accomplished in the classroom this past year. It is a difficult schedule to balance in the spring with all that they have going on, but they do it with excellence. I am thankful for the wonderful faculty we have at Lee University and their dedication to all our students.”