FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
SOUTHERN WESLEYAN SPORTS INFORMATION
Tuesday, May 6, 2008

HIGHTOWER, HOWARD NAMED TO NAIA REGION XIII TEAM

The NAIA Region XIII team was announced earlier today and Kody Hightower and Guy Howard were selected from Southern Wesleyan.

Both seniors were recently selected to the Southern States Athletic All-Conference team and are now eligible for selection to the NAIA All-American squad for 2008.

Hightower was recently named to the NAIA Region XIII Team

Hightower is completing his second year with SWU after transferring in from Brevard College.  The Lenoir, NC native was 2nd team all-conference last season behind NAIA All-American selection anmd early round draft pick in Lance Zawadzki.

Hightower also garnered first team NCCAA All-American honors last season as well as being named Co-MVP in the NCCAA National Tournament.  The senior shortstop was named NCCAA All-South Region Player of the Year in 2007.

The 2008 season has been kind to Hightower as well with his selection to the SSAC 1st Team All-Conference and now the NAIA Region XIII Team.  Region XIII is considered to be one of the toughest regions in the country within the NAIA and sports five teams in the NAIA Top 25 National Poll.

Hightower is in the top 15 in the nation in several categories including hits per game(3rd), at bats per game(5th), assists per game(7th) and triples per game(15th).  The senior is hitting .435 for the season with six homeruns and 64 rbi.  He has 98 hits on the season.

Howard grabbed NAIA Region XIII honors this week

Guy Howard, senior pitcher from Irondale, Alabama is a transfer from Faulkner State CC.  The senior hurler was also selected to the SSAC All-Conference team after posting an 8-1 record with a 2.06 era. 

Howard is in the top 25 in the NAIA in earned run average and did not suffer a loss in the regular season.  The 2008 captain has been instrumental in SWU's 35 wins this season as he provided solid starts through the season.