June 4, 2012
OKLAHOMA CITY - Senior Nikia Williams became just the third Husky softball player in school history to be a finalist for the Lowe's Senior CLASS Award. Williams earned Second-Team All-American honors by Lowe's last week, joining former Huskies Jenn Salling and Dominique Lastrapes on the elite list. The Mission Viejo, Calif., native was one of four Husky seniors to finish their careers at UW in 2012. Williams, a two-time NFCA All-American leaves UW ranked in the top 10 in many batting categories, including RBI, home runs, walks, slugging percentage and on base percentage. She led UW to four NCAA Tournaments, four Super Regionals two WCWS, a national championship and a Pac-10 Championship. The award, chosen by a nationwide vote of Division I head coaches, national media and fans, is given annually to the most outstanding senior student-athlete in NCAA Division I softball. To be eligible for the award, a student-athlete must be classified as an NCAA Division I senior and have notable achievements in four areas of excellence - community, classroom, character and competition. An acronym for Celebrating Loyalty and Achievement for Staying in School®, the Lowe's Senior CLASS Award focuses on the total student-athlete and encourages students to use their platform in athletics to make a positive impact as leaders in their communities. Three-time All-American Valerie Arioto of the University of California was selected as the 2012 Lowe's Senior CLASS Award winner in NCAA® Division I softball. The announcement and trophy presentation was made last week by Lowe's, an official corporate partner of the NCAA, during the NCAA Women's College World Series®. Joining Arioto on the 2012 first team: Michelle Moultrie, Florida; Christi Orgeron, Louisiana; Cassie Reilly-Boccia, Alabama; and Stephanie Ricketts, Hawaii. The second team includes Katelyn Boyd, Arizona State; Mallor Duran-Seller, Southern Illinois; Julie Fernandez, Lehigh; Ashley Hansen, Stanford; and Nikia Williams, Washington. |
