GRAND FORKS, N.D.--University of North Dakota sophomore center fielder Casie Hanson has been named to the 2007 ESPN the Magazine Academic All-America College Division third team in a vote of the nation's college sports information directors.

An undeclared major with a 3.93 grade point average, Hanson is just the second player in UND softball history to be named an Academic All-American. Former shortstop Holly Bonk was named to the CoSIDA Academic All-America third team in 2002.

Hanson, a St. Peter, Minn., native started all 51 games this season and led the North Central Conference in batting average (.455), on-base percentage (.490), hits (86) and runs scored (61), the latter two setting UND single-season records. Her career batting average of .418 is also a school record.

Hanson was also recognized for classroom excellence earlier this season, earning ESPN the Magazine Academic All-District honors. She was also named to the 2007 Academic All-NCC team and the NCC Commissioner's Academic Honor Roll.

Earlier this month Hanson became the first player in the 30-year history of UND softball to earn All-America honors when she was recognized by both the National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) and Daktronics, Inc. She was also named to her second straight All-NCC team.

Hanson and the Sioux were 23-28 overall this season, including a 4-8 NCC mark, and placed third at the conference tournament.

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