Courtesy of LA Tech Athletic Communications
The Louisiana Tech Softball team placed three student-athletes on the 2023 Academic All-District Softball Team, as Katelin Cooper, Brook Melnychuk and Sierra Sacco were selected to the team by the College Sports Communicators, which recognizes the nation’s top student-athletes for their combined performances on the field and in the classroom.
To be nominated, a student-athlete must be a starter or key reserve with at least a 3.50 GPA.
LA Tech tied Middle Tennessee and UTEP for having the most selections to the team among Conference-USA members, with three honorees apiece.
Cooper holds a 3.87 GPA, pursuing her master’s degree in Counseling and Guidance. She is a standout in the classroom, achieving Easton/NFCA All-America Scholar Athlete Honors in 2022 and being named to the Athletic Director’s Honor Roll, Dean’s list, and President’s Honor Roll numerous times in her Tech career.
On the field, she started 55 games this past season, batting .256 with 40 hits, seven doubles, three triples and nine home runs while driving in 42 runs and scoring 29. She led the team in triples (3) and home runs (9), while her 42 RBI in 2023 were the sixth-most all-time by a Lady Techster in a single season.
Melnychuk carries a 3.62 GPA while majoring in Management and has earned a spot on the Athletic Director’s Honor Roll a total of four times.
The Hudson Bay, Saskatchewan, Canada product made 13 starts and 24 appearances in the circle for the Lady Techsters in 2023 while leading Tech with a 2.04 ERA in 75.2 innings. Her 2.04 ERA ranks 93rd nationally.
Sacco has posted a 3.60 GPA, while also majoring in Management.She has appeared on the Dean’s List and Athletic Director’s honor roll in both of her years in Ruston.
In 2023, she was a First-Team All-Conference USA Selection. Sacco led the team with 56 hits, 41 walks, 40 runs scored and 36 stolen bases while posting a .335 batting average and .477 on-base percentage in 167 at bats. She currently ranks 11th nationally and leads Conference USA in stolen bases (36). Sacco finished the season on a 19-game reached-base streak
The CSC Academic All-America® program separately recognizes softball honorees in four divisions – NCAA Division I, NCAA Division II, NCAA Division III and NAIA.
Honorees selected first-team Academic All-District® will advance to the CSC Academic All-America® ballot. Academic All-America® honorees will be announced on Tuesday, June 6.
