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Alumna inducted into Sunshine State Conference Hall of Fame

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Dr. Katie (Heintz) Stowers ’06 speaking at the Sunshine State Conference Hall of Fame induction ceremony.

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Stowers reflects on her time as pitcher for the softball team.
Dr. Katie (Heintz) Stowers ’06 celebrates her induction into the Sunshine State Conference Hall of Fame with her husband and children.

Saint Leo alumna Dr. Katie Stowers ’06 (formerly Katie Heintz) was inducted into the Sunshine State Conference Hall of Fame Class of 2022. From 2002 to 2006, Stowers made a lasting impact as a member of the softball team and was actively involved in the university community.

The standout pitcher garnered a place in the school record books, posting a career 0.89 ERA and a Sunshine State Conference all-time of 1,209 strikeouts, which also ranks 11th all-time in NCAA Division II. Stowers currently holds the NCAA DII record with 45 combined strikeouts in a game. In just 147 appearances, Stowers compiled a .651 winning percentage, 82 wins, 44 career shutouts, and 10 saves, while leading the Lions to two NCAA tournament appearances in 2005 and 2006.

Outside the pitcher’s circle, Stowers excelled in her field of study, winning the Chemistry Student of the Year award in 2003, while serving as the student representative for the Saint Leo Board of Trustees from 2004 to 2006. Stowers graduated from University Campus with a Bachelor of Science degree in biology before moving on to Nova Southeastern to complete a doctoral degree in osteopathy.

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Athletics

10 Athletic Programs Earn National Rankings

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NCAA National Rankings April 2020

After a spring season that was cut short, Saint Leo Athletics saw 10 programs finish the 2019-2020 academic year ranked nationally by their respective associations. Four of those 10 were inside the Top 10 and one, men’s tennis, ranked inside the Top 5 nationally at year’s end.

Three fall programs finished the season with rankings. The volleyball program won the south region and advanced to the national quarterfinals, while women’s and men’s cross country teams reached the national championships.

Volleyball finished the year as the 21st ranked program in the country with one All-America honoree, senior Anilise Fitzi. Men’s and women’s cross country teams each finished as the 30th ranked programs in the nation. Both squads took third at the regional competition.
 
Men’s swimming represented the winter sports in the national poll, rounding out the year in 20th place after sending Matthew Daniel and Kosta Mitrovic to the national championships. The duo received College Swimming & Diving Coaches Association of America (CSCAA) All-America nods for their performances in the pool.

The Lions saw six programs finish the year in the Top 25, in which men’s tennis led all programs with a national rank of fourth. Women’s tennis, softball, and women’s golf all were at eighth in the final polls of their respective associations. Men’s golf rounded out the year as the 13th ranked team, according to GolfStat, where the Lions saw Dave Longhini earn the program’s lone All-South Region nod, announced by the  (GCAA). Women’s lacrosse was off to a 4-3 start, and finished as the 19th ranked program in the country in the shortened season.

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