May 10, 2007
EVANSTON, Ill. -- Senior Garland Cooper (Mission Viejo, Calif./Santa Margarita Catholic) has been named a first-team ESPN The Magazine Academic All-District V selection by the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA), the organization announced Thursday.
Cooper, who was Northwestern softball's first-ever ESPN The Magazine Academic All-American as a member of the third team last year, now is eligible for the 2007 Academic All-America ballot.
A communication studies major, Cooper is a three-time All-District V honoree, becoming the first Wildcat to earn that distinction three years running. On the field this season, Cooper has tied the Big Ten's single-season home run record with 21, becoming the conference's all-time home run leader with 53 on her career. She leads the conference with 65 RBIs, and was one of 25 finalists for the USA Softball Player of the Year award.
She ranks among the nation's top-10 in home runs, RBIs and slugging percentage.
Cooper also is one of 10 finalists for the Lowe's Senior CLASS Award, which honors a senior for possessing the best all-around qualities of a student-athlete, both on and off the field and in the classroom. (Fans still can vote for Cooper for the Senior CLASS Award by visiting seniorclassaward.com. Voting is open until May 23).
The Wildcats have had at least one Academic All-District V selection for the last six years, dating back to the 2002 season.