May 7, 2009

Saint Francis’ McCoy and Waligora Named To Academic All-District 2 Squads

LORETTO, Pa. – Saint Francis University seniors Janelle McCoy (New Paris, Pa. / Chestnut Ridge) and Nicole Waligora (Johnstown, Pa. / Westmont Hilltop) have been named ESPN the Magazine Academic All-District 2 Softball Team honorees, as voted on by members of the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA).

Waligora was named to the ESPN the Magazine Academic All-District 2 First Team as a designated player in the University Division, and will now move on to the national ballot. McCoy was named to the second team as an outfielder. McCoy and Waligora become the first Red Flash softball players to be named Academic All-District in five years. Cassie Scofield was named a first team honoree as an outfielder in 2004.

McCoy, a Psychology major with a 3.89 grade-point-average (GPA), enjoyed a breakout season during her senior campaign. She had career highs in batting average (.289), at-bats (114), runs (20), hits (33), doubles (7), triples (2), home runs (2), and RBI (19). McCoy won the starting centerfield position during the season, and had her best season in a Red Flash uniform.

Waligora is an English/Communications major with a 3.58 GPA. She started 151 of 178 games during her career, and finished on several Top-10 lists at Saint Francis. A career .306 hitter, Waligora is seventh all-time at SFU with 28 doubles, and third with 51 walks. She hit over .300 in three of four seasons, and was an All-Northeast Conference First Team Utility Player in 2008, when she also was named to the Akadema/Northeast Conference All-Tournament Team. As a senior, Waligora hit .330 with two home runs, four doubles and 12 RBI.

To qualify for ESPN The Magazine Academic All-District and All-America honors, student-athletes must have at least a 3.30 cumulative GPA and either be a starter or a key reserve player. All nominees are then voted on by members of CoSIDA.