• ESPN The Magazine Academic All-America Teams (.pdf)

CALIFORNIA (May 26) – California University of Pennsylvania senior pitchers Sonia Petrosoniak (Mississauga, Ontario/Clarkson) and Lauren Shaheen (Greensburg, Pa./Hempfield), along with senior outfielder Julie Mackenzie (Mississauga, Ontario/Meadowvale), were each selected ESPN The Magazine Academic All-Americans, announced the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA) on Wednesday morning.

The Vulcans led the entire country with its three Academic All-Americans. It marks the first time in school history that multiple student-athletes from the same sport received the prestigious academic honor during the same year. The Cal U softball program leads all sports in the rich athletic history at Cal U with six Academic All-Americans.

Shaheen was selected a First-Team Academic All-American in her first year eligible for the award after transferring to the Vulcans prior to last season. A native of Greensburg, she earned her undergraduate degree in history with a 3.96 cumulative grade-point average (GPA) earlier this month. Shaheen anchored the pitching staff this season with a 19-5 record, finishing only one victory shy of becoming the school's first 20-game winner since 2000. Also the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) West Pitcher of the Year, she compiled a 1.63 ERA and 145 strikeouts in 150.1 innings while in the circle.

Mackenzie earned Academic All-America Third-Team honors in 2010 after graduating this month with a 3.93 GPA and a degree in psychology. After staring at second base in recent years, she made the transition to the outfield this season and hit .351 (52-148) with 10 doubles, two triples, four homers and 26 RBI. A four-year starter, Mackenzie ranks third in school history with 48 career doubles and fifth with 31 stolen bases. She also totaled 15 homers, 106 RBI and 103 runs scored in her career, while starting every game she played in (164 of a possible 174).

Petrosoniak became the softball program's second multi-time Academic All-American, joining former pitcher Rochelle Dierkes (1995-96). A third-team selection this season after receiving first-team honors in 2009, she received her degree in international studies with a perfect 4.00 GPA earlier this month. For the season, Petrosoniak made 14 appearances (five starts) and finished with a 2-1 record and 2.79 ERA in 37.2 innings of work. She concluded her career ranked among the all-time leaders with 80 appearances (40 starts) and 205 strikeouts.

Cal U finished the 2010 season with a 37-14 overall record and were the runner-up in both the PSAC and NCAA Atlantic Super Regional Tournaments.

To be eligible for Academic All-America consideration, a student-athlete must be a varsity starter or key reserve, maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.30 on a scale of 4.00, have reached sophomore athletic and academic standing at his/her current institution and be nominated by his/her sports information director.

Since the program's inception in 1952, CoSIDA has bestowed Academic All-America honors on more than 14,000 student-athletes in Divisions I, II, II and NAIA, covering all NCAA championship sports.

Overall, Cal U has featured 12 Academic All-Americans over the last seven years.