Bulldog Catcher Bramlett Awarded NSCA All-America Athlete Of Year
April 20, 2009 | Softball
STARKVILLE, Miss. ? Mississippi State junior catcher Chelsea Bramlett has been named an All-American Strength and Conditioning Athlete of the Year by the National Strength and Conditioning Association.
The program, in its 30th year, recognizes the dedication of student-athletes to strength training and conditioning. Bramlett was one of 207 collegiate athletes from 116 schools to receive the award.
"It is nice to see Chelsea be recognized by the National Strength and Conditioning Association. It is a tremendous honor not only for her, but for our softball program and Mississippi State University," MSU head coach Jay Miller said. "Chelsea is a very talented athlete who works hard every day to continue improving as a player. We are very excited to see that hard work rewarded"
The NSCA recognition joins a long list of other accolades the Cordova, Tenn., native has received during her first three seasons in Starkville. Bramlett was recently named to the initial list of 27 invitees for the USA Softball National Team Selection Camp after making the final 25 for the USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year Award.
Bramlett currently leads the Southeastern Conference in batting average (.483), hits (69) and stolen bases (45). Her stolen-base mark stands one shy of the single-season school record she set in 2007 and matched last year.
A season ago she was named an All-SEC First Team selection at catcher before claiming her second straight NFCA First Team All-American. She was also named the 2008 NFCA/Diamond Sports Catcher of the Year, given annually to the top catcher in Division I softball.
"Chelsea is one of the fastest athletes I have ever trained. Her explosive ability and world-class speed is a game-breaker," Bulldog Assistant Strength Coach Erik Korem said. "Chelsea trains very hard and is dedicated to improving the physiological qualities that support her sport."
Off the field, Bramlett became the third Bulldog named ESPN The Magazine/CoSIDA First Team Academic All-America. She also earned second straight NFCA All-America Scholar-Athlete and Academic All-SEC selections last season.
Bramlett looks to continue her stellar 2009 campaign Wednesday when Mississippi State hosts Auburn in an SEC doubleheader beginning at 3 p.m. at the MSU Softball Field. Admission to all Bulldog home softball games is free.
