LOUISVILLE, Ky. – With a 3.471 team grade point average during the 2017-18 academic year, the Northwest softball program has been recognized as a Top 10 Academic Team by the National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA).

Northwest has now boasted one of the nation's top GPAs in six consecutive years under head coach Mike Rowan.

Nine Northwest softball players were also recognized as 2017-18 All-America Scholar Athletes back in June, giving the Rangers an impressive total of 66 in the past six years.

The honorees were sophomores Kendall Akerson, Ally Judkins, Harley Smith and Mary Thornburg, as well as freshmen Katie Brownlee, Laura Fields, Sarah Johnson, Marlee Ray and Harley Stoufflet.

The award is bestowed upon any player submitted by a member coach who achieved a 3.50 grade point average or higher during the 2017-18 academic year. The honor marks the second component of the association's academic award program.

For a complete listing of all NFCA All-America Scholar-Athletes and academic teams, please visit www.nfca.org.

NFCA Top 10 Academic Teams (JC):
1. Iowa Western CC- 3.700
2. Southern Union State CC- 3.650
T3. Butler CC- 3.610
T3. College of Southern Idaho- 3.610
5. Allen CC- 3.590
6. East Central College- 3.570
7. East Mississippi CC- 3.561
8. Seminole State College of Florida- 3.516
9. Northeast Mississippi CC- 3.493
10. Northwest Mississippi CC- 3.471