Kentucky Softball players Erin Coffel and Kayla Kowalik were named to the 2023 College Sports Communicators Academic All-America teams. The teams were selected by college softball sports information directors who are members of the College Sports Communicators. Fifty percent of the vote was based on academic success, while the remaining fifty percent was based on athletic success. The achievement is the first for both Coffel and Kowalik in their respective careers.
Kayla Kowalik, who secured a spot on the first team, had a batting average of .442, 80 hits, 10 doubles, three triples, two home runs, and 24 RBI. Kowalik also successfully stole 15 of 17 bases during the season and was named to start in all 54 games that the Wildcats played. Meanwhile, Erin Coffel, who was awarded a spot on the third team, recorded 19 home runs and hit .440 with 60 runs scored, 55 base hits, 10 doubles, and 55 RBI. Coffel was walked a nation-leading 64 times and went 3-for-3 stealing bases.
The 2023 CSC Academic All-America Teams honored student-athletes from schools such as Oklahoma, Alabama, and Arizona State, among others. The teams consisted of first, second, and third honors. The first team included Ashley Rogers (Tennessee), Montana Fouts (Alabama), Kayla Kowalik (Kentucky), Grace Lyons (Oklahoma), Tiare Jennings (Oklahoma), Alyssa Brito (Oklahoma), Allie Skaggs (Arizona), Kiki Milloy (Tennessee), Natalie DenHartog (Minnesota), Yannira Acuna (Arizona State), and Deja Davis (Duke).
The second team was comprised of Jordy Bahl (Oklahoma), Megan Faraimo (UCLA), Ally Shipman (Alabama), Caitlyn Brockway (UTEP), Rachel Becker (Oklahoma State), Allee Bunker (Oregon), Katie Keller (Wisconsin), Emily Young (Stanford), Ashley Trieweiler (Santa Clara), Cheyenne Factor (Oklahoma State), Emma Schutter (Dayton), and Morgyn Wynne (Oklahoma State). The third team was composed of Kelly Maxwell (Oklahoma State), Nicole May (Oklahoma), Riley Coyne (Miami), Sydney Collazos (Baylor), Emme Olson (Illinois State), Erin Coffel (Kentucky), Makena Smith (Cal), McKenna Gibson (Tennessee), Alex Honnold (Mizzou), Carolina Jacobsen (Clemson), Katelynn Carwile (Oklahoma State), and Caroline Hudson (Liberty).
The recognition exemplifies the dedication and commitment of these student-athletes to both their academic and athletic pursuits. Being named an Academic All-American is an impressive accomplishment and speaks to the exceptional hard work put in by these student-athletes.
