(PHOENIX, Ariz., Aug. 1, 2005) - Phoenix College softball player, Chelsie Mesa was named the Betty Jo Graber Female Athlete-of-the-Year by the National Junior College Athletic Association. This national award is given to one female athlete in the country on an annual basis that distinguishes herself on a national level through performance, service, merit or achievement.

An Arizona native, Mesa excels both academically and athletically.

She is a two-time first-team National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) All-American, a two-time-ACCAC first-team All-Conference selection and a two-time Region 1 All-Region selection. Additionally, she is a 2005 Phoenix College Athlete and ACCAC Player-of-the-Year, two-time NJCAA All-American and a member of the back-to-back NJCAA Division II Softball National Championship team where she was named MVP both years.

"I must say that Chelsie Mesa is the most talented athlete I have ever coached in my 33 years of coaching, said Head Softball coach and Women's Athletic Director, Heinz Mueller. "She has everything: speed, quickness, power, and great eye to hand coordination. She is also a great student and finished with a 3.57 G.P.A., so it shows that she back ups her athletic ability with her academic accomplishments. She truly is a nice person with a great personality; she has everything a coach would want."

Mesa has received a full athletic scholarship to the University of Arizona.

For a complete listing of previous Betty Jo Graber Award recipients, visit www.njcaa.org.

For more information on the Phoenix College Softball Program, please call Heinz Mueller at (602) 285-7124.

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