February 17, 2003
Texas A&M senior catcher Selena Collins was named Friday to the 2003 USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year watch list. This award, which is considered the Heisman Trophy in women's collegiate softball and is the only national player of the year award, is designed to recognize outstanding athletic achievement by female collegiate softball players across the country.
Collins was named the Big 12 Player of the year last year as well as being a third team All-American after leading the league in home runs and helping the Aggies reach the NCAA regional finals.
This year Collins is leading the No. 24 ranked Aggies in five offensive categories. Through 12 games she has .296 batting average, three home runs (one grand slam), 10 RBI's, a .704 slugging percentage and an on base percentage of .488. Having caught all twelve games for the Aggies Collins also boasts a perfect 1.000 fielding percentage.
The senior All-American from Glendale, Arizona is the only Aggie on the list and is joined by eight other players from the Big 12. The complete list of Big 12 players is:
Lauren Bay, Oklahoma State
Kelli Braitsch, University of Oklahoma
Selena Collins, Texas A&M University
Christina Enea, University of Oklahoma
Lindsay Gardner, University of Texas
Peaches James, University of Nebraska
Kim Ogee, University of Nebraska
Cat Osterman, University of Texas
Lisa Wangler, University of Nebraska
The first 25 finalist will be announced on April 8th. The list will then be reduced to ten players on April 29th, with three finalists being named on May 13th. The winner of the 2003 USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year Award will be announced at the 2003 NCAA Women's College World Series in Oklahoma City. The winner will also be recognized during the ASA National Council Meeting in Orlando, FL, in November.
A replica of the award will be placed in a 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.