Posted: Apr 21, 2020
Jurden named TLU's 2019-20 Female Junior-Year Scholar-Athlete of the Year
SEGUIN, Texas -- Softball All-American and Academic All-American Kelly Jurden (Brenham/Brenham) has been named the Texas Lutheran 2019-20 Female Junior-Year Scholar-Athlete of the Year.
Jurden, a three-year starter on the 2019 NCAA Division III National Champions, holds a 3.961 cumulative grade point average. She is a mathematics major and will pursue her master's degree in data analytics at TLU.
The TLU Junior-Year Female Scholar-Athlete of the Year is awarded annually to the female student-athlete with the best combination of academic and athletic achievement. Last year's award winner was DeAnna Hernandez, also of TLU Softball.
Jurden and the Bulldogs were 19-1 and ranked second in the National Fastpitch Coaches Association poll in 2020 when the season was halted due to concerns over COVID-19.
The Bulldogs won the 2019 national championship with Jurden starting in the outfield. In that championship year, Jurden set a new school-record with 61 stolen bases. The 61 steals in a single season were the sixth-most in a single year in D3 softball history.
Jurden won the 2019 New Balance/NFCA 'Golden Shoe' award for NCAA Division III, given to the top base stealer in DIII.
In 20 games in 2020, Jurden already had 23 stolen bases in 25 attempts. She is TLU's all-time leading base stealer, with 113 career steals.
Jurden is a .416 career hitter with 118 runs scored. She has scored 118 career runs and has a career on-base percentage of .486.
Jurden is a .416 career hitter with 118 runs scored. She has scored 118 career runs and has a career on-base percentage of .486.
With Jurden on the squad, the Bulldogs are 98-12 over the last three seasons.