NEWPORT NEWS, Va. - Two members of the Christopher Newport University softball team were recognized Thursday for their academic excellence as the Captains prepare to open NCAA Tournament play on Friday. Seniors Maddie Hool and Sarah Proctor were named Academic All-District by the College Sports Information Directors (CoSIDA).

Hool, second baseman from Woodbridge, Va., and Proctor, centerfielder from Mineral, Va., are both Communications Studies majors and were selected in District 5 of Division III. Click HERE for the complete CoSIDA release.

The honor recognizes the nation's top student‐athletes for their combined performances on the field and in the classroom. The CoSIDA Academic All‐America program separately recognizes softball honorees in four divisions — NCAA Division I, NCAA Division II, NCAA Division III and NAIA. First‐team Academic All‐District honorees advance to the CoSIDA Academic All‐America ballot. First‐, second‐ and third‐team Academic All‐America honorees will be announced in June. 

Hool and Proctor are key starters for a Christopher Newport squad that has won 37 of 38 games this season. Hool has a batting average of .430 and has driven in 27 runs while scoring 31 times in 37 games played. Proctor is hitting .410 with eight home runs and 34 runs batted in, and is 22 of 22 on stolen base attempts. Proctor has swiped 68 consecutive bases, the second-longest streak in NCAA Division III history. She is 71 for 72 in her career, also second-best all-time.

Keith Parr's team is scheduled to open NCAA Tournament play Friday afternoon at 4:30 p.m. at Captains Park, as CNU hosts regional play. Christopher Newport will play Wilson College on Friday, after Hunter College and Messiah College play in the opening game of the regional at 2:00 p.m.