Wednesday, July 15, 2009
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Contact: Mickey Seward, YHC Sports Information
706-379-5106 or mwseward@yhc.edu

Young Harris College Infielder Bryson Smith Named National Player of the Year
American Baseball Coaches Association Honors Smith As Year's Best in NJCAA Division

YOUNG HARRIS, Ga. - Young Harris College infielder Bryson Smith has been named National Junior College Athletic Association Division I Player of the Year by the NJCAA and the American Baseball Coaches Association.

Smith, who recently completed his sophomore year at Young Harris College, put together a school-record .467 batting average to win the batting crown in the ABCA's East Central District, while ranking second nationally with 90 runs batted in, third in the country with a school record tying 21 home runs and 13th nationally with a .551 on-base percentage. 

"Bryson had an amazing year," said Young Harris head coach Rick Robinson. "When you think about the things he's done, it's amazing. He tied Nick Markakis' (single season) home run record while playing in eight less games than Nick did when he set the record. From March through April, Bryson battled injuries that most kids wouldn't have attempted to play through. To continue to play through those injuries, it's just a great example of the kind of person and competitor that he is.

"But, not only is Bryson a great athlete and competitor, he's also a quality person who exemplifies the type of student-athlete that we have here at Young Harris College."

Smith was a unanimous selection as Player of the Year in NJCAA Region 17 and was also a first team All-American. A 30th round selection by the Cleveland Indians in the 2009 Major League Baseball First Year Player Draft, Smith will continue his college career at the University of Florida next season.

He becomes the second Young Harris player to earn ABCA/NJCAA National Player of the Year honors. Markakis, currently an outfielder with the Baltimore Orioles, won the award in 2003. Young Harris College is the only school in the nation to have two players win the award on the NJCAA Division I level.

About Young Harris College
Founded in 1886, Young Harris College is a private, baccalaureate degree-granting college located in the beautiful mountains of north Georgia. Historically affiliated with The United Methodist Church, Young Harris College educates, inspires and empowers students through the highest quality liberal arts education. Long known for nurturing students during the first two years of college, Young Harris College received accreditation in 2008 to grant bachelor's degrees. The College currently has approximately 700 students across four divisions-Fine Arts, Humanities, Mathematics and Science, and Social and Behavioral Science-and plans to increase enrollment to 1,200 over the next few years. The historic campus in Young Harris, Ga., is currently undergoing major campus improvements to accommodate the College's growth. For more information, visit www.yhc.edu.

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