Liz Swary defines the term “Student Athlete.”
The sophomore from Cleveland became the first softball player in school history to be named an All-American and an Academic All-American.
Swary was named third-team Louisville Slugger/National Fast-pitch Coaches Association NCAA Division III All-American and first team Verizon/COSIDA Academic All-American.
“Liz is a great asset to our team because she is a solid offensive and defensive player,” head coach Cindy Zelinsky said. “She has a tireless work ethic and is very unselfish.”
A first team all-Midwest Region and all-University Athletic Association selection in 2003, Swary led the Bears in batting average (.473), hits (52), doubles (17), home runs (7), RBIs (50), slugging percentage (.836) and on-base percentage (.547).
Swary was named the conference Athlete of the Week April 14 and was also named first-team Verizon Academic All-District VII.
Swary led Washington U. to its second consecutive appearance in the NCAA Tournament and helped set a school record for wins with a 30-9 overall record.
“She is the most humble player I have ever coached,” Zelinsky added. “She has her priorities straight. Whatever she does, whether it be in the classroom or on the field, she gives 100 percent.”
As a freshman in 2002, Swary batted .386 with six home runs and 35 RBIs with 17 multi-hit games.
She was a third-team all-Midwest Region selection, Most Valuable Player of the Washington University Invitational and an NFCA Scholar Athlete. Swary also compiled a 29-game hitting streak as a freshman, which is the fifth-longest in Division III history.
Swary ranks in the top 10 in the Bears’ record book in almost every category: she is first in home runs (13), doubles (28) and RBIs (85), second in hits (108) and runs scored (51), fourth in walks (22) and seventh in games played (80).