FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
DATE: May 5, 2008
CONTACT: Jeff Duggan, SID
PHONE: (303) 273-3095

Van Lingen, Van Wetzinga named RMAC Freshman, Coach of the Year

GOLDEN, Colo. - Seven student-athletes from Colorado School of Mines have been named to the 2008 All-Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference softball teams, as announced on April 30th by the RMAC. Furthermore, CSM's Annie Van Wetzinga has been selected as the 2008 RMAC Softball Coach of the Year.

Sarah Van Lingen, a 5'4" redshirt freshman catcher from Aurora, Colo. (Dakota Ridge H.S.), has been selected as the 2008 RMAC Freshman of the Year. A First Team Academic All-RMAC performer this spring, Van Lingen also garnered Second Team All-RMAC laurels.

Earning First Team All-RMAC honors for Mines were Gina Ross (5'6" / senior / first baseman / Castle Rock, Colo. / Douglas County H.S.) and Katie Kocman (6'0" / junior / right-handed pitcher - infielder / Littleton, Colo. / Columbine H.S.). Kocman was a First Team All-RMAC pick as a sophomore in 2007 and an Honorable Mention All-RMAC selection following her freshman campaign in 2006.

Joining Van Lingen on the Second Team All-RMAC squad were Melissa Stratton (5'6" / senior / shortstop / Aurora, Colo. / Smoky Hill H.S.) and Kaleigh Starr (5'6" / sophomore / outfielder / Lakewood, Colo. / Bear Creek H.S.). A two-time First Team Academic All-RMAC performer in the classroom, Stratton was named Honorable Mention All-RMAC in 2007. Stratton also garnered Second Team All-RMAC honors following her freshman and sophomore seasons (2005, 2006). Starr earned Honorable Mention All-RMAC recognition as a freshman in 2007, as well.

Stacie LaRocque (5'8" / senior / infielder / Erie, Colo. / Monarch H.S.) and Margie Cone (5'6" / junior / outfielder / Larkspur, Colo. / Douglas County H.S.) both earned Honorable Mention All-RMAC recognition for CSM. Cone also earned Second Team Academic All-RMAC honors in 2008.

In her first season at Mines, Van Wetzinga led the Orediggers to a 38-19 overall mark. CSM's 38 victories in 2008 established a new single-season program record, shattering the previous mark of 25 that was set in 2007.

With their 27-11 record in conference play, the Orediggers finished atop the regular-season RMAC standings, won the 2008 RMAC Regular-Season Championship and hosted the 2008 RMAC Softball Tournament.

For more information, please contact CSM Sports Information Director Jeff Duggan at jduggan@mines.edu.

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