BYU picked for top awards in preseason College Sports Madness poll

PROVO, Utah – BYU softball swept the top honors in the 2016 College Sports Madness preseason all-conference awards for the West Coast Conference that were released on Wednesday.

Three of the top awards were won by BYU last year and are picked to repeat again this season. Senior Gordy Bravo was picked for Field Player of the Year, junior McKenna Bull as Pitcher of the Year and head coach Gordon Eakin for Coach of the Year. Additionally, catcher Libby Sugg was voted as Freshman of the Year.

On the WCC First Team, the Cougars had three players honored: Bull, Bravo and Ashley Thompson. Juniors Lauren Bell and McKenzie St. Clair were selected to the Second Team.

After BYU, Loyola Marymount had the most players honored with five on the First Team and one on the Second Team. Saint Mary’s had the third-most with one on the First Team and four on the Second Team.

In the 2015 season, BYU won the WCC with a 13-2 record in conference. Loyola Marymount and San Diego finished tied in second place, finishing WCC play 8-7.

Bravo was also picked to be on the preseason All-America Fourth Team.

A full list of players picked on the preseason teams can be found at the College Sports Madness website.

The Cougars begin their season at the Kajikawa Classic beginning on February 11.