ATLANTA ? Georgia State University's Department of Intercollegiate Athletics graduated 18 student athletes on Saturday, May 12 at the Sports Arena.
Among those in Georgia State's spring 2007 class of graduating athletes are four men's soccer players, two members of the two-time conference champion men's golf team and three career record holders.
Additional Georgia State student athletes will be graduating in the commencement ceremonies taking place in May and August.
2007 Spring Graduates
Adam Bowling, Baseball, Managerial Services
Currently on pace for Georgia State single season and career ERA records, with 2.53 and 3.91 respectively ... Victory over nationally-ranked Georgia Tech in February ... Recipient of Georgia State T.O.A.S.T award for those active in student life ... missed 2006 due to injury and returned in immaculate form for 2007.
Charlie Pelt, Baseball, Sociology
Set Georgia State career hits record in 2007 with 236 hits ... ranks second in career doubles, RBIs and total bases ... nominee for Georgia State Male Student Athlete of the Year in 2007 ... played in second most games in school history.
Eric Suttle, Baseball, Sociology
Holds Georgia State record for most five-hit games in a season with three in 2007 ... one of six players in Georgia State history to record 200 hits ... ranks fifth all time with 125 runs ... named most outstanding defensive player and most improved player in career with Panthers.
Derek Oakey, Golf, Risk Management and Insurance
Member of two-time conference championship winning squad that went to three NCAA Regional Tournaments and two NCAA Championship tournaments ... 2006 GCAA/Cleveland Golf All-American Scholar ... tied course record at Reynolds Plantation Ocean Course at the 2007 Linger Longer Invitational with a second round 65.
Ben Taylor, Golf, Psychology
Member of two-time conference championship winning squad that went to three NCAA Regional Tournaments and two NCAA Championship Tournaments ...two-time All-Tournament Team member ... notched career low 67 twice.
Paulo Gutierrez, Soccer, Management
Four year letter winner with Panthers and standout goalkeeper, serving as a starter and in a reserve role ... Conference Player of the Week in 2004 ... Faculty Scholar in 2005 with 4.0 GPA ... Awarded CAA Commissioners Academic Award in 2005-06.
Jeremy Johnson, Soccer, Hospitality
Three year letter winner with Panthers ... played in 45 matches as a Panther ... scored 13 points for State ... had one game-winning goal.
Aaron Shepherd, Soccer, Managerial Sciences
Three year letter winner with Panthers ... All-CAA Second Team Defender and was one of two to first be named to All-CAA teams ... Defensive Most Valuable player award winner ... Faculty Scholar with 4.0 GPA in 2005 ... earned All Conference Freshman Team honors.
Alberto Villarreal, Soccer, Accounting
Senior captain on Panthers soccer team ... led team in goals and points with six goals and 12 points ... started 32 games in two years with 22 career points ... earned Athletic Directors Honor Roll in 2005.
Alisea Rucker, Basketball, Biology
Four year member of women's basketball team ... recorded double-double against Birmingham Southern in 2005-06 season ... 2003-04 Atlantic Sun All Academic Team member ... joined Sam Radin for color commentary on 2006-07 women's basketball radio broadcasts.
Brittany Holland, Cross Country/Track and Field, Marketing
Senior co-captain of cross country and track and field teams that claimed second and third respectively in their Conference meets ... recorded four top-ten finishes in 2007 outdoor track season ... placed 25th at 2006 CAA Cross Country Championships and 20th at the 2005 meet ... garnered 2006 CAA Commissioner's Academic Award.
Liz Stanford, Cross Country/Track and Field, Biology
Placed 10th at the 2007 CAA Track and Field Championships in the 5,000m run ... 2007 High Five Scholarship Award winner ... placed 21st at 2006 CAA Cross Country Championships where Georgia State claimed second overall ... recipient of 2006 Bruce LaBudde Award for sportsmanship ... named to Faculty Scholar list, Dean's List and Athletic Director's Honor Roll for 2005-06 season ... won CAA Commissioner's Academic Aware in 2006 ... named to ESPN The Magazine Academic All-District Second Team ... named to Atlantic Sun All-Freshman Team in 2003-04.
Pamela Torres, Golf, Sociology
Member of 2006 CAA Championship winning team and 2007 runner-up squad... Assisted Georgia State in winning 2006 American Choice Mortgage Lady Jaguar Invitational by tying for ninth overall, the highest finish of her career ... made Athletic Director's Honor Roll.
Alison Bradford, Softball, English
Senior co-captain of Georgia State softball team that went to back-to-back CAA Championship tournaments and claimed runner up each year played in 203 career games with 196 starts ... had 133 career hits and 10 HR ... ranks third in Georgia State career walks with 71 ... ranks 68th nationally in walks with 32.
Mary Kathryn Branan, Softball, Sociology
Senior co-captain of Georgia State softball team that went to back-to-back CAA Championship tournaments and claimed runner up each year ... played in 219 career games with 201 career hits ... ranks third in Georgia State career doubles with 42 ... ranks 59th nationally in doubles per game.
Tiffany Blackmon, Soccer, Journalism
Played in all 20 games with 16 starts as a senior for a defensive unit that recorded seven shut outs ... played in 69 career matches with 24 starts ... recorded 10 shots as a defender ... named to the Atlantic Sun All-Academic Team in 2004.
Porscha Bailey, Track and Field, Exercise Science
Qualified for 2007 NCAA East Regional as a member of the Panthers' 4x100m relay team ... recorded seven top-ten finishes in 2007 track competition in individual events, including a fifth and seventh place finished in the 100 and 200m dashes at the 2007 CAA Track and Field Championships, and five top-ten finishes with State's 4x100m relay team, which claimed first at the 2007 CAA Track and Field Championships where Georgia State claimed third overall ... named to Dean's List and Athletic Director's Honor Roll for 2006-07 season ... recipient of 2007 CAA Commissioner's Academic Award ... qualified for the 2006 NCAA East Regional as a member of State's 4x100m relay team.
Christen Garcia, Volleyball, Finance
Four year starter for Panthers volleyball team ... set Georgia State record for career digs with 1,626 ... played in 452 games with 125 matches ... set school record for most digs in a match with 45 ... nominee for 2007 Panther Character Award.
