OSU's Chelsea Garcia Honored With Elite 88 Award

News9.com

STILLWATER, Okla. – The NCAA announced Tuesday that it selected Oklahoma State softball player Chelsea Garcia to be honored with the Elite 88 Award for Division I softball.

The Elite 88 Award is presented to an athlete who obtains the highest achievement both on the playing field and in the classroom. It is given annually to the athlete with the highest cumulative GPA who also participates in the NCAA Championship of their respective sport.

In order to be eligible, athletes must be at least a sophomore by credit hours who also have participated in their sport for at least two years. They must be an active member of the team as well as a designated member during the championship.

Garcia is a junior who has started every game at shortstop in her three-year career. She won the Elite 88 Award with a 4.0 GPA in secondary education and mathematics. She led OSU with 12 home runs and 55 RBIs this season and is one of just three Cowgirls to start every game.

OSU will begin play at the Women's College World Series at 2:30 p.m. Thursday against Baylor.