NAIA Honors Catcher from Peculiar, Mo.

(Leavenworth, Kan.)- A University of Saint Mary baseball player has been named an All-American by the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA). Cody Newman, a catcher from Peculiar, Mo., was named first-team 2008 NAIA All-American.

 "I was online checking the scores for the NAIA World Series when I saw the headline that the All-Americans had been named," said Newman. "When I first scanned the list I didn't see my name. Then I saw it and got excited. I was on the phone all evening."

 The 5'11" 195 lb. catcher led the team to a third place finish this year in the KCAC with a .427 batting average. He graduated in May and majored in business management and would like to coach baseball.

 "Cody is as good a player as I've ever coached," said USM Baseball Coach Rob Miller.  "He has been a team leader since his arrival in 2005." 

The NAIA-Baseball Coaches Association (BCA) All-America Selection Committee annually selects two players at each position for first-team, second-team, and honorable mention. The NAIA headquarters is in Kansas City, Mo.

 Only one other USM athlete has been named first-team All-American in any sport – Chris Medlin in football in 2003. Five other USM athletes have received honorable mentions.