June 17, 2014

LEXINGTON, Ky. — Austin Cousino has been named third-team Capital One Academic All-America, it was announced by the College Sports Information Directors Association.

Cousino, a 2014 All-SEC Defensive Team selection, was named to the third team of the Capital One All-America Academic team. A community and leadership development major, Cousino has posted a 3.32 cumulative GPA for his academic career. Cousino is the eighth Academic All-American in UK’s history and the first since Colin Cowgill was honored in 2008. A native of Dublin, Ohio, Cousino collected his first Academic All-American honor.

The centerfielder was selected in the third round, going No. 80 overall, in the 2014 MLB Draft by the Seattle Mariners, after a decorated three-year career with the Wildcats. Last week, Cousino signed his first professional contract with the Mariners and on Monday night he made his professional debut with the Everett AquaSox in the short-season Northwest League. Cousino homered in his second professional at-bat, going 1-for-4 in his debut.

A 5-foot-10, 178-pound left-handed hitter, Cousino started all 178 games of his UK career, hitting .295 (216-for-732) with 47 doubles, seven triples, 19 homers and 48 steals. Cousino owned a .456 slugging and a .386 on-base percentage in his career, charting 17 outfield assists.

Cousino played in 61 games as a junior in 2014, leading UK to the NCAA Tournament. He hit .308, with 15 doubles, four triples, four homers and 38 RBI, stealing a career-high 19 bases. Cousino’s Academic All-America selection adds to his list of accolades in his storied career, including the 2012 SEC Freshman of the Year and the 2013 Rawlings Gold Glove award. He was also named to the 2014 NCAA Louisville Regional All-Tournament Team and was a two-time member of the USA Collegiate National Team.