Athens, Ohio - Sophomore Kelli Bankert (Clifton, Va.) was named to the 2001 Verizon Academic All-America Softball Second Team. Bankert has maintained a 3.97 GPA in early childhood education. She becomes the first Bobcat softball player to earn this honor. Last month, she was named to Academic All-District IV first team, making her eligible for the national ballot. The third baseman batted .345 (59-171) with eight doubles, a home run, 22 RBI and scored 13 runs. Leading the team in hits and batting average for the second consecutive season, she finished the year ranked third and eighth in the conference, respectively. The second-team All-MAC selection also finished the season ranked (MAC only) third in batting average (.403), tied for fourth in hits (29) and fifth in on base percentage (.442).

Her 59 hits ranks her seventh highest in an Ohio single season. 50 of those were singles, tying her for fifth in a season. Bankert also moved into the top 10 in career doubles (26) and RBI (46).

The Bobcats finished the season 32-23, earning their first trip to the MAC tournament since 1996.