May 9, 2007

TALLAHASSEE, FLA. - Amber Jackson was named to the All-Atlantic Coast Conference First Team Wednesday evening, by a vote of the ACC coaches. The senior, who transferred from Bethune-Cookman College before the season, capped off a remarkable year for Maryland by capturing conference honors.

Jackson is the first Terrapin to earn first-team honors since Lindsay Klein did it as a sophomore in 2005. Klein and teammate Jennifer Wellborn were also nominated for all-conference honors this season.

In perhaps the greatest individual season in Maryland softball history, Jackson led the Terps in 12 offensive categories. She set new Maryland single-season records with 23 home runs, 55 RBIs, and 53 walks. With 38 stolen bases in her lone season as a Terp, she is seven stolen bases away from the Maryland career record for stolen bases.

"Amber has had a great year at Maryland and is an extremely positive impact on the softball program as a whole," said Maryland Head Coach Laura Watten. "As a both a player and a person, she is someone who is dedicated to being the best she can be, and she never settles for less than perfection."

Jackson echoed her coach's assessment. "It's good, but it's not a big surprise, because I expect that of myself," she said. "It reinforces the expectations I had of myself at the beginning of the year."

The shortstop not only etched her name in Maryland softball lore, she also made history both in the ACC and nationally.

Earlier this season, she became only the 12th player in NCAA history to record over 300 hits, 200 runs, and 100 stolen bases. She currently has 347 hits, 261 runs, and 112 stolen bases during her incredible career.

With her 23 home runs this season, Jackson needs only one more homer to tie the single-season ACC record set by Georgia Tech's Whitney Haller last season. She leads the ACC in six statistical categories, and ranks among the top ten of five more.

No player in the conference has recorded more home runs (23), stolen bases (38), or walks (53), and Jackson also leads the ACC in on base percentage (.583) and slugging percentage (.973). She ranks in the top five nationally in homers and is first overall in walks per game.

Jackson was named MEAC Player of the Year in each of her three years at Bethune-Cookman. She was named an NFCA first-team All-American in 2005 as a junior, and was selected as an Easton All-American in 2003 and 2004.

"Amber's accomplishments are a result of her resilience, dedication, and commitment to herself, her team, and the entire program. Watten said. "I am truly proud of all that she has achieved and know that she will continue to succeed at the next level." In February of this year, she was selected by the Washington Glory in the fourth annual National Pro Fastpitch draft. Jackson is currently pursuing her master's degree in human development at Maryland, with a 4.0 GPA.