Kansas shortstop McLaughlin named Academic All-District
LAWRENCE, Kan. – The College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA) named Kansas junior shortstop Matt McLaughlin to the Academic All-District 7 team Thursday morning.
A three-year starter at shortstop, McLaughlin holds a 3.51 grade-point average (GPA) while majoring in business administration. He was a named to the Academic All-Big 12 First Team in 2016, the All-Big 12 Honorable Mention Team in 2015 and 2016, the Big 12 All-Freshman Team in 2015 and the Academic All-Big 12 Rookie Team in 2015.
“He is the epitome of a student-athlete,” head coach Ritch Price said. “He is not only an outstanding player, but an outstanding student. I don’t know if we have ever had a player here who has enjoyed being a Jayhawk as much as he has.”
McLaughlin leads the Jayhawks with a .297 batting average that includes a team-best three home runs and 28 walks. He ranks third on the team with 24 RBIs and second in runs scored with 27. In his career, he has started 150 games, and holds a .280 average with 22 doubles, six home runs and 71 RBIs.
He is the 12th player to don this honor in Kansas history, and the first since 2011 when outfielder Casey Lytle earned the recognition.
“What a great honor,” McLaughlin said. “Kansas gives us all the tools to be successful on and off the field. I am truly grateful for everything the University and athletics department has allowed me to accomplish and am proud to call myself a Jayhawk.”
To qualify for the Academic All-District team, a student-athlete must be at least a sophomore in school and carry a cumulative GPA of 3.30. Once nominated, the team is selected by members of CoSIDA. McLaughlin is now eligible for Academic All-America honors, which will be voted on later in the month.
McLaughlin and the rest of the Jayhawks are back in action Friday, May 5, when they open up a four-game set with Texas Southern at Hoglund Ballpark.
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