Wingate’s Bumgardner, Carson-Newman’s Allen, Catawba’s Phelps Make CoSIDA’s Softball All-District Academic Team

Carson-Newman senior second baseman Haley Allen has been named to the 2004 Academic All-District IV First Team and Wingate University junior third baseman Carey Bumgardner (Mechanicsville, Va.) has been named to the All-District III softball second team (college division), selected by CoSIDA (College Sports Information Directors of America). Catawba's Katie Phelps earned second team District IV laurels.

Allen graduated from Carson-Newman last week with a 3.97 grade point average in Accounting. She was a member of the Dean's List at C-N and the South Atlantic Conference Commissioner's Honor Roll every semester. Allen was a member of Alpha Chi Honors Society and was named Carson-Newman Scholar-Athlete of the Year for 2003-04. She is a member of Institute of Management Accountants and the Tennessee Society of Accountants.

Allen has served as a volunteer in many different organizations including the March of Dimes, the American Cancer Society and the American Diabetes Society. She worked with the Knoxville area Operation Christmas Tree which gathered toys for needy children in the Appalachian area of East Tennessee. Allen volunteered to work with the Angel Tree of Knoxville which helped to gather food and toys for needy people in the area. She is a member of Lincoln Avenue Baptist Church in Newport.

On the field, Allen started all 52 games at second base and batted .420 during the 2004 season. She had 20 RBI and was 10-12 in stolen bases. She was third in the South Atlantic Conference in batting average and was named to the All-SAC team in 2004.

Allen now advances to the national ballot for consideration for Academic All-American honors. The All-District and All-American teams are voted on by members of the College Sports Information Directors of America.

District III (college division) includes all non-NCAA Division I schools (Division II, III and NAIA) in Florida, Georgia, Virginia and North and South Carolina. The 11 first team selections move on to the national ballot for 2004 Academic All-America® honors.

Bumgardner, named to the All-District III softball second team is one of two South Atlantic Conference student-athletes to make the second team. Catawba College junior infielder Katie Phelps also earned second team laurels.

A first team All-South Atlantic Conference selection in 2004, Bumgardner holds a 3.61 GPA in Psychology. On the field, Bumgardner hit .351 in 2004 with seven doubles, one triple, three home runs and 23 RBI. She led the team in sacrifice bunts with 13.

At Wingate's athletic awards ceremony on April 26, Bumgardner won the Herschel "Red" and Mary B. Edwards Scholarship Award for the second year in a row. The Edwards award is presented to a rising junior or senior student-athlete who has at least a 3.0 GPA. This award is presented annually to a student-athlete who is a solid contributor to his or her team, has a go-the-extra-mile work ethic, and is always a team player.

In 2003, Bumgardner hit .278 with no home runs and 18 RBI. She was named All-SAC and All-SAC tournament, leading Wingate to the Food Lion SAC tournament championship. The Bulldogs earned their first-ever bid to the NCAA Division II South Atlantic Regionals.

Student-athletes selected for Academic All-District honors must be a starter or important reserve with legitimate athletic credentials. They must possess at least a 3.20 cumulative grade point average (on a 4.00 scale). They must have reached sophomore athletic and academic standing and must have completed at least one full academic year at his institution.