May 27, 2009
ATLANTA – Georgia Tech senior first baseman Whitney Haller has been named a first-team ESPN The Magazine Academic All-American, as selected by the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA) Wednesday afternoon. This is the third Academic All-American award for Haller in her career as she was a second-teamer in 2007 and a member of the third team in 2008.
“Whitney is definitely deserving of this prestigious award,” head coach Sharon Perkins said. “She is the true definition of what is means to be a student-athlete and was a leader for us both on and off the field. Whitney had a tremendous four-year career at Georgia Tech and I know she will be successful in her future endeavors.”
Haller had a 3.94 GPA as an Industrial Engineering major and just graduated last month. She helped the No. 14 Yellow Jackets to their first-ever Super Regional appearance this year as well as winning both the ACC regular season and tournament title. She is the only ACC player on the first team and one of three on the three teams combined. Virginia Tech outfielder Jenna Rhodes was a second-team Academic All-American, while Florida State outfielder Carly Wynn was named to the third team.
“I am absolutely honored to be selected a first team academic All-American and surrounded by all of these names representing the top players in the country,” said Haller. “I have worked hard to be successful at Tech and it means a lot to me for this work to be recognized. Being at the end of my four years here, I can proudly say, `I’m a ramblin’ wreck from Georgia Tech and a helluva engineer’ “
The Marietta, Ga., native is the all-time Georgia Tech and ACC leader in both home runs and RBI, while she ranks among the top five on both lists for several other career categories including batting average, slugging percentage, runs scored, hits, doubles and fielding percentage.
Haller was third on the team and fourth in the ACC this year with a .381 batting average. She was also among the ACC leaders with 69 hits (third), 35 runs scored (10th), 10 doubles (eighth), 12 home runs (tied for second), 55 RBI (first), 117 total bases (second), a .646 slugging percentage (fifth) and a .449 on-base percentage (seventh).
Haller was a finalist for the Lowe’s Senior CLASS Award this year and last night was named a first-team All-Senior All-American by Lowe’s. Florida pitcher Stacey Nelson was named both the Lowe’s Senior CLASS Award recipient as well as the Academic All-American of the Year.
