2011 NFCA Division II All-Academic Teams & Scholar Athletes Release

Starkville, MS -- Junior right-handed pitcher Kimberly Dauer and junior outfielder Julie Martin of the Academy of Art softball team were both named 2011 All-America Scholar Athletes in an announcement last Thursday by the National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA). Over 4,000 student-athletes representing 707 different academic institutions were bestowed the honor. With a collective 3.070 grade point average, the ART U softball team also ranked among the top 65 teams in all of NCAA Division II.

"I am so proud of Julie and Kim getting recognition for their hard work," head coach Rachel Sherman said. "Our team works very hard in and out of the classroom and it is a great honor to see it all pay off with receiving these awards."

Dauer's 3.606 GPA and Martin's 3.567 during the 2010-11 academic year put them both above the 3.50 GPA requirement for earning the NFCA award. The award is the second component of the Association's academic award program. Two weeks ago, the teams with the highest GPAs in each membership category were recognized as a 2011 NFCA Top Ten All-Academic team. This year's total of 4,337 honorees bested last year's total by over 30 student-athletes.

On the field, Dauer completed 2011 with a 7-4 record, four complete games, and 46 strikeouts in 69.1 innings pitched. Martin finished the year with a .320 batting average and scored 32 runs in 46 starts.

For a complete listing of 2010-11 All-Academic Teams and All-America Scholar Athletes, click here.