July 18, 2007

TIGERS' HANKINS NAMED ACADEMIC ALL-AMERICAN

BOONEVILLE, Miss.--  Kelley Hankins, a starting infielder for the Northeast Mississippi Community College softball team in the spring of 2007, has been named a Distinguished Academic All-American by the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) for the 2006-07 school year.

Hankins is majoring in biology at NEMCC with 3.95 GPA. In order to be nominated for Distinguished Academic All-American honors, student-athletes must sport a 3.80 GPA or better over 48 semester hours, or 60 quarter hours.

“Hard work pays off,” Hankins said. “I really believe that. Trust me; it was hard work the last two years trying to balance softball with my work in the classroom. Coach (Jody) Long helped me every way he could with my schedule which I’m really thankful for. Being named Distinguished All-American is a huge honor for me, and something I’ll always look back on and be proud of.”

After completion of summer courses at NEMCC, Hankins will attend the University of Mississippi beginning in the fall of 2007 where she plans to complete her B.S. in biology. The Mooreville native plans to attend medical school after Ole Miss.

On the softball field for Northeast as a sophomore, Hankins batted .333 with 29 RBI and 38 hits in 114 at bats which included nine doubles, two triples, and two homeruns. She was also 5-of-6 in stolen base attempts. Hankins’ best game against a MACJC opponent was on April 1 when she went 3-for-4 with a triple, five RBI, and two runs scored against Holmes Community College. Hankins’ homeruns occurred in games versus Coahoma Community College and Itawamba Community College.

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