LOUISVILLE, Ky. – The 2017-18 Parkland softball team was recognized for its academic excellence on Monday, October 3, as the National Fastpitch Coaches Association named its top teams and individuals for the previous academic year. The Cobras finished 11^th among two-year colleges with a combined GPA of 3.47, while 10 players garnered individual Easton/ NFCA Scholar-Athlete honors. 

The 10 players that led the Cobras to the team honor were NFCA Scholar-Athlete honorees Brigette Belt, Lauren Block, Madyson Butkauskas, Kirbie Mendenhall, Morgan Parrish, Makalya Reedy, Breanna Riemenschneider, Lauren Spelich, Tori Witruk and Shelby Youngblood. Butkauskas and Spelich each finished the 2017-18 year with an unblemished 4.0 GPA. 

Complete List of Honorees | Academic Teams

In order to be eligible for the individual honor, players had to maintain a 3.50 GPA or higher during the academic school year. In total, 6.280 athletes received the honor, 553 from two-year colleges. Among Region 24 teams, Parkland was the only team to earn the honor.