SB Parsells NCCAA GP4L_Scholar-Athlete_Story_5-16-22

Softball 5/16/2022 8:44:00 PM Adam Stanek - MACU Sports Information

Cailey Parsells Named Deb Thompson Award Recipient, Softball Earns 13 NCCAA Scholar-Athlete Nods

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – For the third time in the last four years, a Mid-America Christian softball student-athlete garnered the National Christian College Athletic Association (NCCAA) Game Plan 4 LIFE honor as junior outfielder Cailey Parsells garnered the newly named Deb Thompson Award at NCCAA Softball Awards banquet on Monday night.

Parsells joins former MACU teammate Faith Hollingsworth (2021) and former MACU standout Larie Amos (2019), who were previous recipients of the GP4L award, an honor that was started by the NCCAA in 2015.

The NCCAA presents the GP4L award to a student-athlete that completes at an NCCAA affiliated institution and epitomizes the Christian qualities of love, integrity, faith and excellence.

A 5-2 junior outfielder from Oklahoma City, Parsells has put together a historic career in just three seasons with the program.

With 50 stolen bases, 48 runs scored and five triples, Parsells has already broken MACU's single-season records for each category and is also boasting a team-best .408 on-base percentage.

In her three-year MACU career, Parsells is batting .302 (85-281) and has already broken the career offensive records for triples (9) and stolen bases (93).

In a 10-1 win at Central Christian on Apr. 15, Parsells became the first player in program history to steal five bases in the same game, breaking her own single-game stolen base record that she shared with Ribbin Dorado, Kylie Stubbs and Mikaylee Allen.

On-top of her baserunning prowess, Parsells is also a remarkable defensive player in centerfield, as she is one of just three players in the entire NCCAA to hold a perfect 1.000 fielding percentage in 80 or more chances.

Parsells was also one of 13 players to garner Scholar-Athlete accolades. Once again, Mid-America Christian led the entire NCCAA in receiving Scholar-Athlete recognition, marking the second straight year MACU sat at the top after tallying 12 Scholar-Athletes in 2021.

To be named an NCCAA Scholar-Athlete, a student-athlete must maintain a 3.40 GPA, be at least a junior by academic standing and have completed at least one semester at the nominating institution.

Listed below are MACU's NCCAA Scholar-Athlete recipients…