« Softball 2013

Kelsey Horton

School
Florida
Position
Outfield
Major
Nutritional Sciences
AVG
.270
R
33
H
37
FLD%
.952
RBI
29

Classroom

In addition to her on-the-field successes and contributions, Kelsey Horton is also a leader for the Gators in the classroom. Horton has been named to the SEC Academic Honor Roll all three years of her collegiate career thus far from 2010-12. A Nutritional Sciences Major, Horton was named to the 2011 and 2012 Capital One Academic All-District 3 & 4 First Teams, respectively, and her diligence in the classroom paid off her junior season in 2012 when she was named a Capital One Academic All-American, becoming UF’s 11th Academic All-American in program history. For her work last season, Horton additionally earned NFCA All-America Scholar-Athlete honors from the National Fastpitch Coaches Association. Scheduled to graduate this year, Horton plans to attend Pharmacy School and has already accepted her admission to Auburn University to further her education.

Character

Kelsey Horton’s character really shines through when you look at her accomplishments both on and off the softball diamond. Horton defines team player – and an example on the field would be stepping up in 2012 when her team needed her in the catcher position. After UF’s starting catcher was injured with a broken jaw early in the season, Horton, primarily an outfielder, stepped right in and did her best to fill the role even earning All-SEC and NFCA All-Southeast Region honors for a job well done. Off the field, Horton, an especially caring and empathetic person, is truly a leader among the University of Florida student-athletes. The Florida senior is always involved, whether attending a particular community service event, supporting her fellow student-athletes at their respective competitions (including a Saturday 8 a.m. cross country meet!) or serving on the SAAC board. Horton was the 2011-12 SAAC Softball Representative her junior season and she took on an even larger role this year as the 2012-13 SAAC Vice President.

Community

In the Gainesville and surrounding community may be where Kelsey Horton’s impact is most felt. Horton led the UF softball team last year in community service hours and for her work in the community, was named to the 2012 SEC Community Service Team. She served as the Community Service Chair for the UF SAAC and among her individual hours of service, Kelsey has volunteered locally on a number of different occasions at the Gainesville March of Dimes office, while also frequenting Gainesville’s Shands Hospital. On campus, Horton has taken part in a number of activities organized by UF’s Goodwill Gators program, including UF’s Climb for Cancer Sports Camp, Gator Tracks holiday gift wrapping party and UF’s Thanksgiving food drive. As a team, Horton and the Gators have done a number of different service events, ranging from organizing Thanksgiving baskets at a local church, to a charity softball game for the local Special Olympics softball team and much more.

Horton additionally serves as UF’s contact for Friends of Jaclyn, which matches children with brain tumors to high school and college athletic teams to provide support and spread awareness of brain tumors. The Gators adopted Heather Braswell in 2008 and she’s continued to be an honorary member of UF’s team. Horton organized a Swing for the Cure event in Fall 2012 involving a number of different UF student-athletes who came together on the softball diamond to raise awareness for cancer in general, the March of Dimes and Friends of Jaclyn.

Competition

From the moment Kelsey Horton stepped on campus, she’s had an impact on the field as a Gator. A part of two WCWS teams, Horton helped Florida reach the national championship in 2011. Her first hit as a Gator was a homer, and she picked up 2010 SEC All-Freshman Team honors. Horton has played in 194 games at Florida, with 162 starts, including starting 51 of UF’s 53 games in right field this season. Twice last year, Horton tied a UF single-game record for homers, with two against TSU and FGCU. Horton picked up 2012 All-SEC Second Team honors at catcher and was named to the 2012 NFCA All-Southeast Region Second Team. Horton ranks second on the UF squad this year with 10 doubles, while also ranking third with her eight homers, including one grand slam. She’s been walked 32 times this season, second on the Gators’ squad. In SEC play, Horton has reached base in all but four of UF’s league games, and five of her eight homers so far came against SEC opponents. She ranks second in the SEC in sac bunts, with a league high two against Auburn, checks in third for UF with her .292 batting clip through conference play and is second with her .667 slugging percentage. She has five hits in nine games vs. top-25 league opponents and has an impressive three outfield assists for UF this season.