Nov. 7, 2001

Columbia, Mo.-Three members of the 2001 Missouri Softball team were named All-American Scholar Athletes by the National Fast Pitch Softball Coaches Association on Tuesday. Karen Williams and Stephanie Falk and Ingrid Werner each were named for the second time in their careers. Head coach Jay Miller says the honor is a result of all three individuals hard work and stick-to-itiveness.

"This is a great honor for Stephanie, Karen and Ingrid, but it is also a nice honor for our program," Miller said. "It's nice for our kids to be recognized by an organization like the NFCA for their hard work both on and off the field."

Williams, who completed her eligibility with the 2001 season, was also named NFCA All-American following last season. She is only the second player in Missouri softball history to be named to both teams in the same season, the other being Karen Snelgrove in 1991. Williams led the Tigers in batting average (.429, the ninth-highest average in the nation last season) and stolen bases (24) in 2001. She also finished her career with the fifth highest batting average in school history.

Falk, who also completed her eligibility in 2001, was one of the most prolific pitchers in MU history. She holds the MU record for innings pitched (1006.1), games started (144) and appearances (176) and ranks second on the charts in strikeouts (865), complete games (117) and career wins (89). Both Williams and Falk were also named All-Big 12 first team and to the Academic all-Big 12 team.

Werner is the elder member of the 2002 pitching staff as a junior and looks to continue her success. She has been named to the NFCA Academic All-American squad each of her fist two years at MU. The native of Fremont, Calif., was also named Academic All-Big 12 and received Big 12 Pitcher of the Week honors for week of February 22. She carried a 1.63 ERA through the Tigers fall season and 11 runs in 34.1 innings of work.