NJCAA | Athletes of Distinction

BJ Graber Award

Lindsey Palmer Receives 2008 Betty Jo Graber Award

After throwing four no-hitters and setting school records for career and single season strikeouts, the NJCAA was proud to name Salt Lake Community College (Utah) softball standout Lindsey Palmer the winner of the 2007-08 Betty Jo Graber Female Student Athlete of the Year award.

Palmer, who as team captain in 2008, had an amazing sophomore season on the mound for the Bruins. She finished with a 29-2 record, including a stretch of 25 consecutive wins, 309 (2nd in NJCAA) strikeouts, which set a new school record, and a 0.90 ERA (2nd in NJCAA). She led SLCC to a 43-10-1 record and the regular season Scenic West Athletic Conference title for the second straight season along with a runner-up finish at the Region 18 Tournament. The Bruins were also ranked as high as fifth in RINGOR^TM NJCAA Division I Softball poll this year.

Opponents could muster just a .111 batting average against Palmer and she issued just 61 walks in 194.1 innings on the mound. She also tossed four no-hitters this season and was selected as the Division I RINGOR^TM NJCAA Player of the Week on April 23.

Palmer earned First-Team All-Region 18/Scenic West Athletic Conference (SWAC) honors and was Region 18/SWAC Player of the Year. She also became just the second softball player at SLCC to earn First-Team NJCAA All-American honors and the first ever to garner First-Team Louisville Slugger/National Fastpitch Coaches Association All-American accolades.

"Lindsey earned everything that she has been awarded this year," said Bruin head coach MaryKay Amicone. "She worked very hard over the last two seasons to become a dominate pitcher in the sport of softball."

The Tooele, Utah native also was a great offensive threat for the Bruins, posting a .333 batting average with four home runs and 36 RBIs.

As a freshman in 2007, Palmer led the Bruins with a 19-8 record and 193 strikeouts and was a Second-Team All-Region selection 18. However, she was not satisfied with her first-year success and wanted to improve.

"She was never satisfied with just being good," continued Amicone, "she always wanted to get better. She was a great teammate and leader for her team."

After setting SLCC career records with 504 strikeouts, 14 shutout victories and an amazing five no-hitters, Palmer is currently finishing her education and softball career at the University of Utah.