These Seniors Are in a CLASS of Their Own

The field of candidates for one of the most prestigious honors in all of college sports was announced this week.

Thirty of the top NCAA softball players who excel on and off the field were selected for the 2022 Senior CLASS Award.

To be eligible for the award, an athlete must be classified as an NCAA Division I senior or graduate student and have notable achievements in four areas of excellence: community, classroom, character and competition.

Among the candidates are: Michigan’s Meghan Beaubien, Minnesota’s Natalie DenHartog, Texas’ Hailey Dolcini, Oklahoma’s Lynnsie Elam, Florida’s Elizabeth Hightower, Florida State’s Sydney Sherill, Kentucky’s Kayla Kowalik. Washington (Baylee Klingler, Gabbie Plain) and Clemson (Marissa Guimbarda, Cammy Pereria) are both have two players on the list. (full list below)

An acronym for Celebrating Loyalty and Achievement for Staying in School, the Senior CLASS Award focuses on the total student-athlete and encourages students to use their platform in athletics to make a positive impact as leaders in their communities. 

The 30 candidates will be narrowed to 10 finalists later in the season. Ballots will be distributed through a nationwide voting system to media, coaches and fans, who will select one candidate from the remaining 10 who best exemplifies excellence in the areas of community, classroom, character and competition.

The winner will be announced during the Women’s College World Series in June.