Ferguson awarded sixth year of eligibility
Issue date: 4/8/09 Section: Sports
Senior Kamren Ferguson was awarded a sixth year of eligibility on Thursday afternoon by the NCAA after missing the majority of two seasons due to injuries.
"I was excited to find out today that I was granted another year," Ferguson said. "Overall, I am happy to have the opportunity to come back and play for another season."
In her first year with the team, Ferguson had a promising start to her career for the purple and gold, throwing nine strikeouts and collecting two saves in only five appearances. The co-captain earned Mid-Continent Pitcher of the Week honors once and was named to the Metrodome Classic All-Tournament Team before taking a medical redshirt due to a season-ending knee injury at Tulsa.
Ferguson battled back from the knee injury in 2006 to lead the Westerwinds pitching staff with a team-best 2.11 ERA while striking out 193 batters. The post-season accolades accumulated after the completion of only her first-full season with Western as she earned all-conference first-team honors as well as being named to the all-conference tournament team.
During Ferguson's 2007 campaign, the co-captain was named the Mid-Con Pitcher of the Year as well as being selected to both the all-conference first team and all-conference tournament team.
Last season looked to be another promising year for Ferguson, but she suffered yet another season-ending injury after only making 12 appearances.
"Being injured in two of my first four years was a step back, but when I sat back and watched my team practice everyday, I realized that I would be able to come back and help the team out the next year," Ferguson said. "I kept a positive attitude during the injuries and knew I would be able to come back and play the next year."
Ferguson has bounced back after missing her second season due to an injury last year and has lead the Westerwinds to an overall record of 14-14 as well as a 7-1 first-place mark in Summit League play. The senior has a 6-1 record with a 1.64 ERA in conference play this year and will look to be a contributor again next year.
"I am excited Kamren will be able to return to the team for another year," said Western Illinois head coach Holly Van Vlymen. "She is a true veteran of the game and she is a great leader for the team. Kamren has been through a lot, so she will continue to provide leadership to our young student-athletes."
The Westerwinds only graduate two players from its current roster at the end of the year in pitcher Courtney Jacobson and key-utility player Tiffany Beard and look for Ferguson to not only lead Western to a successful season this year, but also next year.
"Kamren will play a vital role in our success over the next two years," Van Vlymen said. "It will be nice having most of our pitching staff return next year and it will be great having Kamren help Lori (Pankratz), Ashley (Campbell) and our incoming-freshman pitcher with the pitching duties."
Ferguson and the Westerwinds are back in action on April 8 as they host Iowa at Mary Ellen McKee Stadium at 4 p.m.
"I was excited to find out today that I was granted another year," Ferguson said. "Overall, I am happy to have the opportunity to come back and play for another season."
In her first year with the team, Ferguson had a promising start to her career for the purple and gold, throwing nine strikeouts and collecting two saves in only five appearances. The co-captain earned Mid-Continent Pitcher of the Week honors once and was named to the Metrodome Classic All-Tournament Team before taking a medical redshirt due to a season-ending knee injury at Tulsa.
Ferguson battled back from the knee injury in 2006 to lead the Westerwinds pitching staff with a team-best 2.11 ERA while striking out 193 batters. The post-season accolades accumulated after the completion of only her first-full season with Western as she earned all-conference first-team honors as well as being named to the all-conference tournament team.
During Ferguson's 2007 campaign, the co-captain was named the Mid-Con Pitcher of the Year as well as being selected to both the all-conference first team and all-conference tournament team.
Last season looked to be another promising year for Ferguson, but she suffered yet another season-ending injury after only making 12 appearances.
"Being injured in two of my first four years was a step back, but when I sat back and watched my team practice everyday, I realized that I would be able to come back and help the team out the next year," Ferguson said. "I kept a positive attitude during the injuries and knew I would be able to come back and play the next year."
Ferguson has bounced back after missing her second season due to an injury last year and has lead the Westerwinds to an overall record of 14-14 as well as a 7-1 first-place mark in Summit League play. The senior has a 6-1 record with a 1.64 ERA in conference play this year and will look to be a contributor again next year.
"I am excited Kamren will be able to return to the team for another year," said Western Illinois head coach Holly Van Vlymen. "She is a true veteran of the game and she is a great leader for the team. Kamren has been through a lot, so she will continue to provide leadership to our young student-athletes."
The Westerwinds only graduate two players from its current roster at the end of the year in pitcher Courtney Jacobson and key-utility player Tiffany Beard and look for Ferguson to not only lead Western to a successful season this year, but also next year.
"Kamren will play a vital role in our success over the next two years," Van Vlymen said. "It will be nice having most of our pitching staff return next year and it will be great having Kamren help Lori (Pankratz), Ashley (Campbell) and our incoming-freshman pitcher with the pitching duties."
Ferguson and the Westerwinds are back in action on April 8 as they host Iowa at Mary Ellen McKee Stadium at 4 p.m.
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