University of Minnesota Athletics
Groenewegen, Macken Named Senior CLASS Finalists
2/28/2017 12:00:00 AM | Softball
Senior CLASS Release
Sara Groenewegen and Sam Macken have both been named Senior CLASS Award finalists, for their character and work on the field, in the classroom and in the community.
To be eligible for the award, a student-athlete must be classified as an NCAA Division I senior and have notable achievements in four areas of excellence: community, classroom, character and competition.
Groenewegen is a two-time NFCA All-American (first-team in 2016, second-team in 2015). She is one of only three players in the history of the Big Ten to win B1G Freshman, Pitcher and Player of the Year awards.
Groenewegen has been very active in the Twin Cities community throughout her time as a student-athlete at the University of Minnesota. She is a frequent visitor of the Masonic Children's Hospital and has also participated in many anti-bullying events at elementary and middle schools as part of the Gophers Stand Up to Bullying program. She is also a two-time Academic All-Big Ten honoree.
An inspiration for many young girls, Groenewegen has accomplished so much while playing with Type 1 diabetes.
Type 1 diabetes didn't stop @gophersoftball pitcher Sara Groenewegen from achieving her dreams and she continues to inspire others! https://t.co/iBvBGnN5zO
- NCAA Softball (@NCAAsoftball) December 21, 2016
Macken is as dedicated as they come both on and off the field. She is a two-time Academic All-Big Ten honoree and was named CoSIDA Academic All-District once. She has earned All-Big Ten and NFCA All-Region honors twice in her career.
She has worked to become a true professional in the marketing field using the resources provided to her through her major. With her class she took a trip to the MLB All-Star Game last summer working on the green team for sustainability. She also spent the summer interning with CBS Radio.
A true softball advocate, Macken has helped grow the game of softball in her hometown, Rochester, Minn. She has volunteered countless hours coaching, running camps and helping out in any way she can with the youth there.
Macken also has taken advantage of multiple volunteering opportunities at the University of Minnesota. One of the most notable was when she teamed up with other Gopher athletes on Gopher Global's first trip across international borders to Winnipeg, Canada.
From the list of 30 candidates, a national media committee will select ten finalists for the 2017 Senior CLASS Award in March. Those 10 names will then be placed on the official ballot for a nationwide vote. Fan balloting will be coupled with votes from coaches and media to determine the recipient of the award.
