Hickory, N.C.----Wingate University senior outfielder Mark Letchworth (Greenville, N.C.) adds another prize to his trophy case, as the Bulldog All-American was named to the NCCSIA All-State college division team this week. The 2009 South Atlantic Conference Player of the Year is one of 12 student-athletes honored by the N.C. sports information directors’ organization.
A graduate of Rose High School, Letchworth earned much hardware following his senior season. The American Baseball Coaches Association (ABCA) voted him to the 2009 NCAA Division II All-America third team. In addition, Letchworth received All-Region honors from the ABCA, the College Sports Information Directors of America (Daktronics) and the NCBWA.
A first team All-SAC selection, Letchworth posted 18 home runs, 66 RBI, 59 runs scored, 20 doubles, 156 total bases and a .765 slugging percentage this year. He led the league in doubles, while charting in either the second or third position in the other categories.
Wingate’s top hitter with a .392 batting average, Letchworth was the only player on the Bulldog roster to start all 52 games this season. A very consistent performer, Letchworth hit .402 in conference games, with eight homers, 35 RBI and an .805 slugging percentage. He also had nine doubles and 25 runs scored in league play.
Mark Letchworth is the son of Anna Weaver and Glenn Letchworth. Mark Letchworth played two seasons at Louisburg College and one campaign at East Carolina University before joining the Bulldog program. Letchworth’s stepfather (Mike Weaver) played baseball and football at ECU.
Twelve student-athletes, representing eight different schools, comprise the 2009 North Carolina Collegiate Sports Information Association (NCCSIA) College Division All-State Baseball Team released this week.
The sixth annual team consists of non-NCAA Division I student-athletes from North Carolina colleges and universities. North Carolina sports information professionals submitted the nominees and NCCSIA members voted for the all-state teams. The honor squad includes two starting pitchers, one relief pitcher, one catcher, four infielders, three outfielders and one designated hitter.
NCAA Division II playoff participants Catawba College and UNC Pembroke placed three student-athletes each on the honor squad. Chowan University, Guilford College, Lenoir-Rhyne University, Mount Olive College, Pfeiffer University and Wingate University received one selection each.
Founded in 2002, NCCSIA is comprised of sports information professionals from North Carolina’s NCAA Division I, II, III, NAIA and independent institutions for the purpose of promoting college athletics in the state. Membership is open to anyone affiliated with a college, university or conference located in North Carolina whose responsibilities include sports information.
NCCSIA selects all-state teams in the university (NCAA Division I) and college (Division II, III, NAIA, NCCAA) divisions for women’s volleyball, men’s and women’s basketball, men’s and women’s soccer, softball and baseball. Nearly 600 student-athletes have been recognized on all-state teams since 2003.
WINGATE UNIVERSITY
Founded in 1896, Wingate University is a private four-year co-educational institution of 2,129 students, offering active learning opportunities through personalized instruction, international study, faith development, career discovery and community service.
Wingate offers 40 undergraduate majors in arts and sciences, business, education, fine arts, music and sport sciences. It also offers graduate degrees in business, education, physical education, physician assistant studies, sport administration and the doctor of pharmacy degree.
Bulldog student-athletes compete in 17 NCAA Division II sports. Wingate University has won the South Atlantic Conference Echols Athletic Excellence Award for the past three years.
Wingate University is ranked number three among NCAA Division II Academic All-America® producing schools in the 2000’s with 31 honorees during this millennium. Only Pittsburg State (Kan.) University and Truman State (Mo.) University have produced more Academic All-America® honorees during this time period. Wingate’s 40 Academic All-America® honorees (lifetime) is tops among all SAC schools.
2009 NCCSIA All-State Baseball Team (College Division)
INF–Justin Bagbey, Chowan
INF–Seth Kivett, UNC Pembroke
INF–Craige Lyerly, Catawba
INF–Rich Racobaldo, Mount Olive
C–Ryan Query, Catawba
OF–Kevin Dietrich, UNC Pembroke
OF–Mark Letchworth, Wingate
OF–Max Loveland, Lenoir-Rhyne
SP–Nick Fogleman, Pfeiffer
SP–Matt McGovern, UNC Pembroke
RP–Nathan Furr, Catawba
DH–Kyle Wooden, Guilford
