Echols Named to Capital One Academic All-District First Team
May 07, 2015 | Softball
AUSTIN, Texas – Currently in the process of getting her Master's degree in Business Administration, senior Julia Echols was named to the Capital One Academic All-District first team for District 6, the College Sports Information Directors of America announced Thursday.
An outfielder turned infielder, Echols has amassed a perfect 4.0 grade-point average while going for her graduate degree. The McDonough, Ga. native compiled a 3.93 GPA during her undergraduate career that ended with a Bachelor's degree in Accounting.
By being named to the first team, Echols will now be added to the CoSIDA Capital One Academic All-American ballot
"Being a student athlete is two-fold, and what you do on the field is just as important as what you do off of it," Echols said. "At Mississippi State we are taught to take pride in our academics. I work hard in the classroom because I owe it to this university, my coaches and parents to give the utmost effort; because without them I would not have the opportunity to earn a degree at one of the finest universities in the nation."
Echols ranks second among Bulldog hitters in batting average (.342) and second in home runs (9) this season. Echols tied an MSU record when she went 5-for-5 at the plate at Mizzou on April 11, as she became just the second Bulldog in program history to record five hits in a game.
In April, Echols was named a 2014-15 Newsom Award recipient for her excellence in the classroom in addition to her success on the field. During the 2012 spring season, Echols was named an NFCA All-American Scholar Athlete after posting a 4.0 GPA.
After being eliminated from the SEC Tournament on Wednesday, State is now awaiting an at-large bid to the 2015 NCAA Tournament. The NCAA Tournament Selection Show will air live on Sunday, May 10 at 9 p.m. CT on ESPNU.
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