May 3, 2012

by Koby Padgett
Assistant Media Relations Director

COLUMBIA, S.C. – South Carolina redshirt senior Kaela Jackson claimed a spot on the Capital One Academic All-District Four NCAA Division I Team, as selected by the College Sports Information Directors of America, the organization released on Thursday.

Jackson, from Morristown, Tenn., has started 26 games at designated player, hitting four doubles and two homers on the season. A .212 hitter, she’s driven in 10 runs on the season. The former Chattanooga State Community College standout has battled injuries throughout her collegiate career, and her vocal leadership has helped the Gamecocks the past two years. In 2011, South Carolina had the 12th-best turnaround in NCAA Division I from 2010.

A psychology major, Jackson is one of eight Southeastern Conference players on the District Four list, which encompasses schools in Alabama, Florida, Georgia and South Carolina. Alabama led the way with five honorees. Florida and Florida State both had two student-athletes make the list.

To qualify for nomination, student-athletes must be in their second year on campus and at least a sophomore athletically. They also must have a 3.30 cumulative GPA on a 4.0 scale.

Jackson and the rest of the honorees move onto the national ballot, competing against the members of the seven other districts for spots on the three Capital One Academic All-America teams.

South Carolina closes its 2012 softball season with a three-game series at Ole Miss this weekend. Sunday’s series finale will be shown on SportSouth, with the broadcast start set for 2 p.m. EDT.

Capital One Academic All-District Four Team
NCAA Division I (AL, FL, GA, PR, SC)

Pos., Name, Yr., School
P Jessica Nori, So., Florida State
P Jackie Traina, So., Alabama
C Kelsey Horton, Jr., Florida
IF Cassie Boese, Sr., Georgia State
IF Jackey Branham, Jr., Alabama
IF Kaila Hunt, So., Alabama
IF Cassie Reilly-Boccia, Sr., Alabama
OF Kirstin Austin, Jr., Florida State
OF Shannon Bear, Sr., Georgia Tech
OF Kayla Braud, Jr., Alabama
OF Michelle Moultrie, Sr., Florida
DP Kaela Jackson, Sr., South Carolina