June 8, 2011

CLEVELAND, Ohio - Three members of the Ohio University softball team were named to the Academic All-Mid-American Conference (MAC) Team on Wednesday. The trio included seniors Melissa Bonner (Kings Mills, Ohio) and Emily Wethington (New Palestine, Ind.) and junior Jillian Van Wagnen (Lorain, Ohio). In total, nine Bobcats were honored, which tied for the top spot in the conference with Bowling Green.

Bonner and Wethington were both named to the team for the second consecutive season in 2011. Bonner was named a Capital One Third Team Academic All-American on May 26. She was a Second Team All-MAC choice as a senior and was lauded by the conference in each of her four seasons at Ohio. Wethington was a First Team All-MAC choice this year at the pitcher/utility position, and was named to the MAC All-Tournament Team following the Bobcats' run to the conference tournament title game. She led the team in eight offensive categories this season including average (.384), slugging percentage (.632), on-base percentage (.462), hits (48), RBIs (29), doubles (10), home runs (seven) and total bases (79).

The seniors were joined on the team by Van Wagnen, who was also a MAC All-Tournament Team selection in 2011. She was the most effective base stealer on the team this season with 22 in 24 attempts. She started all 48 games she played in and totaled 27 hits with one triple on the year. It was the first time Van Wagnen made the Academic All-MAC Team in her career.

Six other Bobcats were awarded academic honorable mentions: seniors Sara Clark (Ontario, Calif.), Paige Kemezis (Hackensack, N.J.) and Jordan Paden (Walla Walla, Wash.), junior Brooke Morgart (Wayne, Ohio), and sophomores Lauren Gellerman (San Diego, Calif.) and Chelsea Hortman (Cincinnati, Ohio).

To be nominated, a student-athlete must have at least a 3.20 cumulative GPA and have participated in at least 50 percent of the contests for that particular sport. First year students and junior college transfers in their first year of residence are not eligible for the award. Outstanding academic and athletic accomplishments from the current season only are considered.

Ohio wrapped up the 2011 season with a run to the MAC Tournament championship game and finished the season with an overall record of 26-23. The Bobcats won the MAC East Title during the regular season.

2011 Academic All-MAC Softball
Alex Feltes, Akron#
Alex Helfrich, Akron#
Alicia Barkley, Ball State#
Alyssa Collins, Ball State
Lindsay Arney, Bowling Green
Paige Berger, Bowling Green
Hannah Fulk, Bowling Green
Molly Coldren, Central Michigan
Kara Dornbos, Central Michigan
Macy Merchant, Central Michigan
Jenna Ignowski, Eastern Michigan
McKenna Russ, Eastern Michigan
Stacie Skodinski, Eastern Michigan
Sarah Gerber, Eastern Michigan#
Holly Finchum, Kent State
Jessica Simpson, Miami
Melissa Bonner, Ohio #
Jillian Van Wagnen, Ohio
Emily Wethington, Ohio #
Shana Szypka, Toledo
Lindsey Tobias, Toledo
Lexi Jager, Western Michiganv Courtney Rousseau, Western Michigan

#2010 Academic All-MAC Team

2011 Academic Honorable Mention
Heather Bauer, Akron
Sarah Earley, Akron
Cassie Gleisner, Akron
Olivia Hegedus, Akron
Audra Sanders, Ball State
Kim Mazzapica, Ball State
Andrea Arney, Bowling Green
Melissa Bott, Bowling Green
Missy Bowman, Bowling Green
Zada Lines, Bowling Green
Rachel Proehl, Bowling Green
Melissa West, Bowling Green
Ashley Bertot, Buffalo
Jessica Griffin, Buffalo
Alyssa Ward, Buffalo
Summer Knoop, Central Michigan
Jaclyn Caro, Eastern Michigan
Nellie Coquillard, Eastern Michigan
Lauren Delapaz, Eastern Michigan
Danielle Abernathy, Kent State
Jess Carmichael, Kent State
Shannon Laughlin, Kent State
Mary Holt, Kent State University
Maleeya Coleman, Kent State
Markie Pozzuto, Kent State
Sarah Starr, Kent State
Jordan McElroy, Miami
Daniela Torres, Miami
Carly Norton, Northern Illinois
Alexandra Wulbecker, Northern Illinois
Amanda Sheppard, Northern Illinois
Whitney Owens, Northern Illinois
Sara Clark, Ohio University
Lauren Gellerman, Ohio University
Chelsea Hortman, Ohio University
Paige Kemezis, Ohio University
Brooke Morgart, Ohio University
Jordan Paden, Ohio University
Becki Heimbigner, Toledo
Jillian Spink, Toledo
Whitney Young, Toledo
Michelle Bendewald, Western Michigan
Tara Buchanan, Western Michigan