OKLAHOMA CITY - Brigham Young senior outfielder Delaney Willard is one of the Top 25 finalists announced today for the 2012 USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year.
A two-time WAC Hitter of the Week this season, Willard ranks in the NCAA top 20 in six different categories, including RBI per game (5th, 1.40), slugging percentage (8th, .920), home runs per game (13th, 0.37), batting average (14th, .440), home runs (14th, 13) and on base percentage (19th, .537).
The award, which is considered the most prestigious honor in Division I softball, will be announced at the opening of the 2012 NCAA Women’s College World Series (WCWS) in Oklahoma City.
This year’s Top 25 is comprised of 13 seniors, seven juniors, four sophomores and one freshman. The student-athletes selected represent 17 NCAA Division I universities and eight athletic conferences.
Ten finalists will be announced on May 9, three finalists will be announced May 23, and the winner will be revealed May 29.
The USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year award is voted on by coaching representatives from 11 Division I Conferences in the 15 ASA Regions as well as members of the media who consistently cover Division I Softball across the country.
The 25 finalists are listed below.
2012 USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year Top 25 Finalists
| Name |
School |
Yr. |
Pos. |
Hometown |
| Valerie Arioto |
California |
Sr. |
UT |
Pleasanton, Calif. |
| Lexy Bennett |
Texas |
Sr. |
INF |
Kingwood, Texas |
| Katelyn Boyd |
Arizona State |
Sr. |
SS |
Phoenix, Ariz. |
| Kayla Braud |
Alabama |
Jr. |
OF |
Eugene, Ore. |
| Lauren Chamberlain |
Oklahoma |
Fr. |
INF |
Trabuco Canyon, Calif. |
| Raven Chavanne |
Tennessee |
Jr. |
3B/OF |
Thousand Oaks, Calif. |
| Rachele Fico |
LSU |
Jr. |
P |
Oxford, Conn. |
| Ashley Hansen |
Stanford |
Sr. |
INF |
Chandler, Ariz. |
| Jolene Henderson |
California |
Jr. |
P/1B |
Elk Grove, Calif. |
| Kaitlin Inglesby |
Washington |
So. |
P/1B |
Portland, Ore. |
| Ashley McClain |
FIU |
Sr. |
OF/P |
Brandon, Fla. |
| Michelle Moultrie |
Florida |
Sr. |
CF |
Jacksonville, Fla. |
| Sara Nevins |
South Florida |
So. |
P |
Pinellas Park, Fla. |
| Christi Orgeron |
Louisiana |
Sr. |
OF |
New Orleans, La. |
| Sara Plourde |
UMass |
Sr. |
P |
Bristol, Conn. |
| Kimi Pohlman |
Washington |
Sr. |
OF |
Sammamish, Wash. |
| Jamia Reid |
California |
Sr. |
OF |
Buena Park, Calif. |
| Ellen Renfroe |
Tennessee |
So. |
P |
Jackson, Tenn. |
| Keilani Ricketts |
Oklahoma |
Jr. |
P |
San Jose, Calif. |
| Hannah Rogers |
Florida |
Sr. |
P |
Lake Wales, Fla. |
| Jordan Rutkowski |
Valparaiso |
Sr. |
C/OF |
Alden, N.Y. |
| Jessica Shults |
Oklahoma |
Jr. |
C |
Valencia, Calif. |
| Chelsea Thomas |
Missouri |
RS-Jr. |
P |
Pleasantville, Iowa |
| Jackie Traina |
Alabama |
So. |
P/DP |
Naples, Fla. |
| Delaney Willard |
BYU |
Sr. |
OF |
Camarillo, Calif. |