Wheeler in running for National Player of the Year honor

Grinnell College Athletics

GRINNELL, Iowa – After another terrific season, Grinnell College’s Darice Wheeler ’21 is among 25 players being considered for the Schutt Sports/National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) National Player of the Year honor.

Wheeler, recently named to the All-Midwest Conference First Team for the second year in a row, ranks fifth nationally in slugging percentage this season at .958 and sixth in home runs with 13. The designated player/pitcher from Evanson, Ill. (Cushing Academy) hit .411 this season with 39 RBIs and 34 runs scored. As a pitcher, she had a 5.10 ERA with 93 strikeouts in 108.1 innings pitched.

Wheeler set or tied school record this season for runs scored, walks and home runs in a game. She is Grinnell’s career leader in six categories – batting average (.460), slugging percentage (1.033), on-base percentage (.565), home runs (31), RBIs (102) and walks (53).