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Nicholson Honored by the Union Leader

KEENE, N.H. 01/31/06 - Keene State College softball player Ashlee Nicholson has been named Female Athlete of the Year by the New Hampshire Union Leader. Nicholson from Swanzey, was one of 18 athletes honored at the newspaper’s Parade of Champions banquet on January 29.

Nicholson, who pitched and played in the field for the Owls last season, was thrilled with the honor. “When you consider how many worthy athletes were nominated, I was very excited to receive the award,” she said. “It just shows that I got lucky or did a real good job recruiting,” said KSC Coach Charlie Beach. “Ashlee told me she wanted to hit as well as pitch, so I told her I would give her a fair shot. And if you perform here, you get to play.”

Nicholson, who came to KSC after a standout career at Monadnock Regional High School, was a solid two-way player for the Owls. In addition to posting a 9-2 mark with a school freshman record ERA of 0.67 on the mound, she topped the team in batting (.343 BA) with a home run and 16 RBIs. Her play on the field didn’t go unnoticed. Following the season, Nicholson was selected to both LEC and New England All-Star teams.

“I wasn’t surprised because I expect a lot out of myself,” said Nicholson, who helped lead the Owls to the 2005 LEC championship and a berth in the NCAA New England Regional finals.

Nicholson is the second KSC women’s athlete to receive the award from the Union Leader. Mary Proulx, a standout track/cross-country runner, won the award in 2003. Proulx was a five-time track national champion at KSC.

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