Three Cougars named NJCAA academic all-American

Three Western Nebraska Community College softball players were named National Junior College Athletic Association academic all-American last week.

WNCC sophomore Adena Hagen of Birch Hills, Saskatchewan, sophomore Taylor Anderson of Riverton, Utah, and sophomore Stephanie Townsend of Roosevelt, Utah, earned recognition by posting a 3.6 or higher grade point average.

Hagen had one of the highest GPAs, finishing with a 3.81 grade point average as she was named a distinguished all-American. Hagen had one of the highest grade point averages among Cougar softball players to receive NJCAA academic all-American.

Anderson and Townsend each earned academic all-American. Anderson finished with a 3.77 GPA, while Townsend had a 3.66 GPA.

Townsend will continue her academic and athletic success next year at Chadron State College where she will play softball.

Hagen was the starting centerfielder for the Cougars the past two seasons, while Anderson and Townsend were pitchers for the Cougars.

This past spring, the Cougars softball team captured its second Region IX title in three seasons and participated in the national softball tournament in St. George, Utah. The team finished the season with a 43-21 record.

Last year, the softball team had just one player -- Katelyn Groves -- earn academic All-American, and two years ago with a 3.66 average. Two years ago, two softball players in Natasha Dypchey (3.69) and Jessica McNabb (3.65) were academic All-American.