Atlee Named First Team All-Big Ten
May 10 | Softball
PISCATAWAY, N.J. - Freshman Taryn Atlee and junior Jacqueline Kott each earned Big Ten honors, the league announced Wednesday. Atlee received First Team All-Big Ten accolades, while Kott was named a Big Ten Sportsmanship Award honoree.
Atlee started all 51 contests as a rookie, leading the team in batting average (.393), hits (66), and triples (4). Her 66 hits ranked second in the league to end the season, while also sitting at second on Rutgers all-time single-season record list behind Carla Camino with 92 hits in 1993. The Sacramento, California, native was also named a top 25 finalist for the 2017 Schutt Sports/NFCA National Freshman of the Year award for her stellar season.
Atlee is the first to receive First Team recognition since the program joined the league. She is the third to earn All-Big Ten honors, joining former Scarlet Knights Jackie Bates and Alyssa Landrith who earned Second Team accolades in 2015.
"Taryn is a tremendous example of what hard work and drive will accomplish," said head coach Jay Nelson. "Her talent and will to win drives her both in practice and games. She is continually working on becoming better as a player, taking extra repetitions in batting after our practice has concluded, and going in on her own to work on parts of her game that she feels need improvement. This is the force that makes her deserving of All-Big Ten honors. Congratulations Taryn! Job well done!"
Kott played a vital role for the Scarlet Knight offense. The Burlington, New Jersey, native racked up eight runs as a pinch runner for RU. Kott also started five contests for Rutgers, including two in the outfield and three as the designated player.
"Jacqueline is an example of a student athlete who is always there for her teammates," said Nelson. "As she strives to break into the lineup as an outfielder she has embraced her role of pinch runner knowing that she may be called upon whenever. It's a very important role and she understands that it helps us. Every game and practice she comes to the field and gives us everything she has to make us a better team. She is a leader in the classroom and on the field as she sets the tone by being an exemplary student and an extremely dedicated athlete."
The full list of honorees can be found here.
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