Feb. 27, 2013
LEXINGTON, Ky. – Senior infielder Kara Dill has been named as a candidate for the 2013 Senior CLASS Award, as announced by the award committee recently. Dill joins 30 other NCAA Division I softball players selected for their excellence on and off the field, namely in four areas of excellence – community, classroom, character and competition.
An acronym for Celebrating Loyalty and Achievement for Staying in School®, the Senior CLASS Award focuses on the total student-athlete and encourages students to use their platform in athletics to make a positive impact as leaders in their communities.
Dill, a captain for the Wildcats this year, has proved her worth to her team and her community. As one of just two seniors, the self-proclaimed, “action-based leader,” has stepped out of her comfort zone to become a more vocal leader for the Wildcats. Head coach Rachel Lawson has already recognized Dill’s impact in this captain role.
“Kara Dill is obviously a team leader,” Lawson said. “She’s, I would say, our top returning player both offensively and defensively. She’s done a really nice job of showing the younger kids how to play the game, and she plays it really hard. She’s brought her A-game to practice every day, which has been really nice. I think she’s helped them progress quite a bit. Kara is exceptionally smart and on game days she is really, really focused and driven.”
Dill also demonstrates focus and determination in the classroom, graduating three semesters early in December 2011 with her Bachelor’s degree. The native of LaGrange, Ohio, has continued to excel in graduate school, where she is working towards a Master’s degree in exercise physiology.
“I have been very blessed and given so many opportunities to get ahead in school,” Dill said. “My family has been very supportive and the coaches here and staff here have been very supportive. I think I have always used my brain to my advantage because I do know what my weaknesses are and how to get around them sometimes.”
While dominating in the classroom and on the field, Dill has also managed to find time for countless hours of community service while at UK. She has dedicated time to multiple organizations such as God’s Pantry, Salvation Army, YMCA and Southland Christian Church. She helps on campus too, giving her time to UK Fusion, a one-day campus community service event for UK students. Earlier this week, Dill was named to the Frank G. Ham Society of Character, which annually honors Wildcats who have shown an extraordinary commitment to academic excellence, athletic participation, personal development, career preparation and serving as a role model.
Dill has already made an impact on the field this year, as well. The two-time All-Southeastern Conference second team honoree just tied a school record with six at bats in a single game during UK’s 11-inning thriller against USC Upstate in the Coke Zero Spartan Classic. She also leads the team with 15 runs and is second on the team with 18 hits on the season. Dill continues to be an essential asset for the Wildcats, starting in all 14 games in2013, increasing her consecutive starting streak to 174 games.
The candidate class will be narrowed to 10 finalists midway through the regular season, and those names will be placed on the official ballot. Ballots will be distributed through a nationwide voting system to media, coaches and fans, who will select one finalist who best exemplifies excellence in the four Cs of community, classroom, character and competition. The Senior CLASS Award winner will be announced during the 2013 NCAA Women’s College World Series® in Oklahoma City May 30 through June 5.
