Jen Pape gets Navy honor for softball, academics

By BRANT JAMES and MIKE READLING

© St. Petersburg Times, published June 8, 2000

BROOKSVILLE -- Central High senior Jen Pape has been named to the U.S. Navy Scholastic All-America Softball Team by the National High School Coaches Association.

Pape, who with her twin sister Jamie will attend Rollins College in the fall, was the only Floridian named to the first team.

Seniors with a grade point average of at least 3.2 were eligible for nomination by coaches. Central coach Benny Martinez nominated Pape. Nominees were judged on their excellence in sports, community involvement and academics.

Pape was an All-Hernando/Citrus first-team pitcher after finishing 13-5 with a 0.61 earned-run average and 234 strikeouts. She batted .400.

She compiled a 3.9 GPA and was a Boys and Girls Club volunteer with her sister, helping babysit children after school.

Pape will receive a plaque and certificate.

"I was extremely surprised," Pape said. "So many people are nominated, it's very exciting. I feel very honored to have been a part of that."

The Navy program, which is in its first year, recognizes first-, second-, and third-team selections in six sports: baseball, football and basketball for boys, and softball, volleyball and basketball for girls.

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