Nicoletti chosen for Senior CLASS Award list

Grand Canyon senior outfielder Gianna Nicoletti was named one of 30 softball candidates on the Senior CLASS Award list, a national honor for on- and off-field achievements.

To be eligible for the award, a student-athlete must be classified as a Division I senior or graduate student and have notable achievements in four areas of excellence: community, classroom, character and competition. An acronym for Celebrating Loyalty and Achievement for Staying in School, the Senior CLASS Award focuses on the total student-athlete and encourages students to use their platform in athletics to make a positive impact as leaders in their communities.

"It is incredibly humbling to be recognized among such an elite group of student-athletes," Nicoletti said. "I am indebted to the entire GCU Athletics department, my teammates, fellow athletes, coaches, trainers, advisors and administrators for the encouragement to serve our community, the academic support in the classroom and the valuable instruction on the field. I am honored to represent Grand Canyon University and Lopes softball."

The 30 candidates will be narrowed to 10 finalists later in the season for a ballot that goes to media, coaches and fans to pick the winner that will be announced in June during the College World Series.

"Gianna is everything a coach could want in a student-athlete," said Lopes head coach Shanon Hays. "She shows up every day ready to work and get better. She has pride in helping take our program to the next level. She is a fantastic student and she is a dynamic player with great leadership. She is also a great teammate. She deserves all the awards and positive attention that she receives!"

Nicoletti earned her bachelor's degree in Secondary Education in December, earning summa cum laude honors. She is pursuing a master's degree in Secondary Education. She is a Building Champions Leadership Academy honoree and three-time WAC All-Academic selection.

Nicoletti demonstrates all the qualities that a coach could want in a player: outgoing, dedicated and a hard worker. She is always willing to go the extra step to perfect her craft. Nicoletti puts in just as much work in the classroom as she does on the field, while making time for community service activities. She sets a great example for her peers on what it takes to be a selfless player when she puts the team first.

Nicoletti has spent time volunteering with numerous organizations at GCU. She worked with GCU City Serve, Special Olympics of Arizona, Feed My Starving Children, Miracle League of Arizona, Banner Thunderbird Medical Center, Arizona Softball Hall of Fame Tournament and GCU Welcome Week.

The outfielder became the Lopes Division I-era leader for steals in a single season (28) and career (58). Nicoletti is chasing her single-season record with 19 steals in this season's first 20 games. In her junior season, she earned first-team all-conference honors. She started in all 49 games and tallied a team-best batting average (.361) with 56 hits, 38 runs, 22 walks and a .450 on-base percentage.

Softball's Senior CLASS Award candidates

Name                                     Position                       School
Nicole Amodio                         C/INF                           Boston
Carley Barjaktarovich             INF                               Lehigh
Meghan Beaubien                  LHP                              Michigan
Megan Burton                         INF                               Eastern Illinois
Alyssa Cacini                           INF                               Dayton
Kaley Coltrain                         C                                  Marist
Courtney Coppersmith           P/OF                            UMBC
Natalie DenHartog                  OF                                Minnesota
Dayna Denner                         3B                                Toledo
Kristi DiMeo                            1B                                Drexel
Hailey Dolcini                         RHP                             Texas
Lynnsie Elam                           C                                  Oklahoma
Lauren Fey                              INF                               Butler
Marissa Guimbarda                OF/UTL                        Clemson
Aly Harrell                               INF                               Marshall
Neleigh Herring                       1B                                Wichita State
Elizabeth Hightower               RHP                             Florida
Andrea Howard                      OF                                New Mexico
Baylee Klinger                         INF                               Washington
Kayla Kowalik                         C/OF                            Kentucky
Gianna Nicoletti                      OF                                Grand Canyon
Emme Olson                           2B/UTL                        Illinois State
Cammy Pereria                       INF/OF                         Clemson
Gabbie Plain                            RHP                             Washington
Mekenzie Saban                     INF                               Saint Francis
Nikki Saibene                          INF                               Youngstown State
Sydney Sherrill                        UTL                              Florida State
Kendall Smith                         C                                  Louisville
Bailey Vannoy                         C/OF                            Charlotte
Sadie Wise                              INF                               Saint Louis

Grand Canyon University Athletics

Softball's Senior CLASS Award candidates

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