WICHITA, Kan. - Wichita State senior first baseman Neleigh Herring has been named one of 30 candidates for the 2022 Senior CLASS Award, it was announced Tuesday.

To be eligible for the award, a student-athlete must be classified as an NCAA Division I senior or graduate student and have notable achievements 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. 

A native of Chandler, Okla., Herring has appeared in 160 career games with 24 home runs, 95 RBI, 94 runs and a career .328 batting average. Herring ranks in the top 10 on the career charts at Wichita State in slugging percentage, on base percentage, fielding percentage and is just one home run shy of cracking the top 10. Herring was named to both the All-Conference First Team and NFCA All-Central Region Second Team in 2021. She set career highs in BA (.375), home runs (10), RBI (13), runs (40) walks (29), OBP (.516), and SLG (.701). Her on base percentage ranked third best in program history.

Herring has maintained a 3.41 GPA at Wichita State, and is now pursuing an MBA. In her tenure, Herring is a two-time AAC All-Academic Team selection and has been named to the AD's Honor Roll every semester.

Herring has volunteered with numerous organizations at Wichita State. She has participated with the Wichita Buddy Walk, Girls on the Run 5K, Reading with Shockers and Wesley Children's Hospital Fight Like a Kid Day. Herring also "adopted" a local family this past Christmas for Wichita's Littlest Heroes, where the team purchased presents for local families in need.

"Neleigh's work ethic is unmatched and her desire to make her teammates better is a high priority daily," said head coach Kristi Bredbenner. "Neleigh has the characteristics needed to pursue her ambitious career goals."
 
The 30 candidates will be narrowed to 10 finalists later in the season, and those 10 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 candidate who best exemplifies excellence in the four Cs of community, classroom, character and competition.
 
The Senior CLASS Award winner will be announced during the 2022 Women's College World Series^® in June.
 
For more information on the candidates, visit SeniorCLASSAward.com.