University of North Carolina Athletics
Trio Of Tar Heels Named NFCA All-America Scholar Athletes
August 7, 2017 | Softball
OKLAHOMA CITY – North Carolina senior Kendra Lynch and freshmen Carly Kruse and Lauren Rushing were named 2017 All-America Scholar Athletes, as awarded by the National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA). The award is bestowed upon student-athletes who achieved a grade point average of 3.50 or higher during the 2016-17 academic year.
After slashing pitching records left and right as a junior, Kendra Lynch used her bat to turn heads in 2017, earning NFCA All-America Second Team honors. The left-handed power hitter broke single-season records for RBIs (68) and total bases (144), ranking among the top 10 in the nation in total bases and home runs (21). A dedicated student in the classroom, Lynch earned ACC All-Academic honors for the second straight year in 2017 while taking home her third consecutive ACC Academic Honor Roll selection. Additionally, Lynch won the UNC Athletic Director's Scholar-Athlete award and was named a bCLA Leader of Distinction, the highest honor awarded by the Carolina Leadership Academy. Lynch graduated in May with a degree in exercise and sport science and will continue her academic and athletic career at Florida State this fall, serving as the volunteer assistant for the Seminoles while pursuing a Master's degree in sport management.
Carly Kruse joined the Tar Heels mid-season on March 24 to add speed off the bench. The outfielder appeared in 11 games as a pinch runner, stealing second base against Longwood and scoring a key run against Boston College in the seventh inning of the series opener. Kruse picks up her second postseason award after being named to the ACC Academic Honor Roll.
Lauren Rushing earns her first career honor after joining the Tar Heels for the postseason. Rushing played in two games during NCAA Regionals, including scoring a key run as a pinch runner against Southern Illinois to help the Tar Heels to a 4-0 victory.
