Five Huskers Earn Academic All-District Honors

The Nebraska softball team placed five players on the ESPN the Magazine Academic All-Distict VII first and second teams, the College of Sports Information Directors (CoSIDA) announced on Thursday.

Juniors Julie Brechtel, Heidi Foland and Robin Mackin were all named to the first team, while sophomores Ashley Hagemann and Nikki Haget were named to the second team. The Huskers’ five overall selections were the most of any team in the region, while Nebraska was the only school with more than one first-team selection.

Brechtel and Foland were two of four infielders on the first team. Brechtel made the list with a 3.66 grade-point average in business administration, while Foland earned a spot with a 3.43 GPA in nutritional science and dietetics. Mackin, who was a 2007 CoSIDA Academic All-American at Fresno State, was one of two pitchers on the first team. Mackin carries a perfect 4.0 GPA as a psychology/pre-med major.

Hagemann and Haget were two of only four sophomores named to either the first or second team. Hagemann was one of three pitchers selected to the second team, and she carries a 3.43 GPA in elementary education. Haget earned one of the three second-team outfield spots, as she boasts a 3.97 GPA.

Brechtel, Foland and Mackin now advance to the national ballot, where they will look to become CoSIDA Academic All-Americans. The Huskers lead all softball programs with 26 all-time CoSIDA Academic All-Americans, while Nebraska leads all universities with 271 CoSIDA Academic All-Americans across all sports.