National champion Wallace State softball team and golfer Aksel Olsen recognized by Gov. Robert Bentley in Montgomery

CONTACT: Russell Moore, Communications and Marketing, Wallace State Community College, 256.352.8443, russell.moore@wallacestate.edu
 
HANCEVILLE, Ala. – Wallace State’s 2013 national champion softball team and golfer Aksel Olsen, a NJCAA individual national champion, were both recognized last week by Gov. Robert Bentley outside the Capitol building in Montgomery.
Bentley presented a commendation to both the softball team and Olsen and congratulated each on achieving their impressive feats. Bentley visited with the softball team and coach Jayne Clem first and shook hands with each person before posing for pictures. Bentley then shook hands and applauded Olsen for his accomplishments.
State Sen. Paul Bussman, R-Cullman, and Rep. Mac Buttram, R-Cullman, also joined Bentley in recognizing the two champions.
Wallace State’s softball team earned its second national championship in May, winning the NJCAA national tournament at St. George, Utah. The Lady Lions scored 33 runs in six games, winning five of six to earn the title. Wallace State advanced to the national tournament after winning its second straight ACCC/Region 22 state championship, sixth in seven seasons and eighth overall. The Lady Lions finished with a 55-12 record.
Wallace State softball won its first NJCAA national crown in 2008.
Last year’s freshmen, now sophomores, represented the team in Montgomery.
“This is awesome for the governor to take time to do this for us. It’s neat for our girls to get to come down here and meet him,” said Wallace State coach Jayne Clem. “Our girls know what it takes now. They’re excited to get going again.”
Also in May, Olsen became the first Wallace State golfer to earn low medalist at the NJCAA Men’s Golf Championship. Olsen finished with a four-day total of 281 at The Rawls Course in Lubbock, Texas, earning him the Arnold Palmer Award as the low medalist along with recognition as an NJCAA All-American.
On the final day of the tournament, Olsen started out tied for ninth after three rounds (2-under-par 213), but shot a 5-under-par 67 in the final round. Olsen was forced into a playoff against Meridian Community College’s (Miss.) T.J. Morgan on the 18th and claimed the individual title by making par, while Morgan bogeyed the final hole.
Olsen became the 14th Wallace State golfer to be named an All-American.
For more information about Wallace State athletics, visit wallacestate.edu.
 
    

PHOTOS:
Top- Alabama Gov. Robert Bentley shakes hands with third baseman Kori Benson as her teammates and coach Jayne Clem look on.
Middle Left- Wallace State softball team with Governor Bentley: Pictured are, front row, from left, Governor Robert Bentley and Wallace State softball coach Jayne Clem, second row, from left, Meghan McCreery, Kori Benson, Kelsey King and Madeline Lee, back row, from left, Annie Holcomb, Sabrina Russell, Maria Mitchell, Ashleigh McClure and State Sen. Paul Bussman. Members of the national title team no longer at Wallace State were Libby Olinger, Victoria Frith, Elizabeth Jordan, Hali Presley, Kreshala Mickens, Brittany Gillison, BreeAnna Blevins, Shaq Morris, Katie Gentle, Laken Hancock, Lindsey DeFee, Paige Rowland and manager Jordan Carter. Assistant coach Tracy Grindrod was unavailable to make the trip.
Middle Right- Wallace State softball team on the Capitol steps: Front row, from left, are Meghan McCreery, Kori Benson, Kelsey King and Madeline Lee, back row, from left, Annie Holcomb, Sabrina Russell, Maria Mitchell and Ashleigh McClure. Members of the national title team no longer at Wallace State were Libby Olinger, Victoria Frith, Elizabeth Jordan, Hali Presley, Kreshala Mickens, Brittany Gillison, BreeAnna Blevins, Shaq Morris, Katie Gentle, Laken Hancock, Lindsey DeFee, Paige Rowland and manager Jordan Carter. Assistant coach Tracy Grindrod was unavailable to make the trip.
Bottom Left- WSCC golf recognized in Montgomery: Pictured are, from left, Wallace State NJCAA tournament low medalist Aksel Olsen, Gov. Robert Bentley and Wallace State golf coach Dan York.
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Kristen Holmes
Director, Communications & Marketing
Wallace State Community College
P.O. Box 2000, Hanceville, AL 35077
1-866-350-9722 256-352-8118 direct
256-352-8314 fax 256-339-2519 cell
Visit us online at www.wallacestate.edu