April 2, 2014
THE FLATS – Georgia Tech senior catcher Alysha Rudnik has been named one of 10 softball finalists for the 2014 Senior CLASS Award, which is presented annually to an NCAA Division I senior with notable achievements in four areas of excellence – community, classroom, character and competition.
The finalists were chosen by national media from the list of 30 candidates announced in February. Nationwide fan voting begins immediately to help select the winner. Fans are encouraged to vote on the Senior CLASS Award website through May 12. Fan votes will be combined with media and Division I head coaches’ votes to determine the winner.
An acronym for Celebrating Loyalty and Achievement for Staying in School®, the Senior CLASS Award focuses on the total student-athlete and encourages students to use their platform in athletics to make a positive impact as leaders in their communities.
“Alysha is truly deserving of this honor,” Georgia Tech head coach Shelly Hoerner said. “Her many talents go well beyond the field and that’s what I admire about Alysha. She has such a caring demeanor for others and always puts herself last. Alysha’s leadership, loyalty and strong morals and values make her a true role model.”
A native Lawrenceville, Ga., Rudnik is a two-time All-ACC First Team pick and last season she recorded the second-highest batting average on the team and in the ACC (.399) with 49 RBI on 59 hits and 44 runs. Her 40 career home runs and climbing are eighth most in the ACC career record books.
Academically, Rudnik is a business administration major with a concentration in operations and supply chain management with a 3.56 cumulative GPA. She earned a 2014 ACC Postgraduate Scholarship and was named a 2014 Peach of An Athlete. She is a five-time member of the Dean’s List, as well as a three-time selection to the ACC All-Academic team and ACC Honor Roll (2011-13).
Rudnik is not only a leader on the softball field and classroom, but also in the community and even at home. Since 1997, Alysha and her six siblings (four by birth and two adopted) have had the opportunity to be a sister or brother to more than 50 foster brothers and sisters. In addition, Rudnik has been involved in seven community service groups, including the Girls on the Run program and Michael Isenhour Toy Drive since her freshman year.
The Senior CLASS Award winner will be announced during the 2014 NCAA Women’s College World Series® in Oklahoma City May 29 through June 4.
Softball Finalists
Dallas Escobedo, Arizona State
Kaila Hunt, Alabama
Kaitlin Inglesby, Washington
Katie Keller, Louisville
Destinee Martinez, Oklahoma
Sara Nevins, South Florida
Hannah Rodger, Florida
Alysha Rudnik, Georgia Tech
Nicole Sappingfield, Michigan
Madison Shipman, Tennessee
