Photo courtesy Tennessee Athletics
Portions of the following release was issued by Tennessee Athletics and Kentucky Athletics and information and graphics courtesy Tennessee Athletics and Kentucky Athletics…
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – The Southeastern Conference announced its 2024 Class of Women’s Legends, and the University of Tennessee is represented by the illustrious Monica Abbott and Kentucky is represented by its first All-American Molly Johnson-Belcher.
The 2024 collection of SEC Women’s Legends showcases former student-athletes and coaches from all 14 SEC member institutions. The women’s legends program began in 2001 with classes chosen every year except for 2021 and 2022.
This year’s class will be honored at the 2024 SEC Women’s Basketball Tournament, held March 6-10, 2024 in Greenville, S.C. Each legend will be recognized during halftime of their team’s first game of the tournament, as well as in a group introduction at halftime of the second semifinal game.
One of the most decorated players in the history of college softball, Abbott threw an astonishing 23 no-hitters and six perfect games during her Tennessee career and led the Lady Vols to three consecutive Women’s College World Series appearances (2005-07), with a runner-up finish in 2007.
Abbott logged 10 wins in the circle in her three appearances at the Women’s College World Series.
Through four stellar seasons at Tennessee, she posted an incredible 189-34 record, a 0.79 ERA, 112 shutouts, 2,440 strikeouts and 125 games with 10 or more strikeouts. She also became the first pitcher in NCAA Division I history to record 500 strikeouts in four different seasons.
During her career, Abbott was named the SEC Pitcher of the Year three times – still the only three-time winner in SEC history – and capped her final season at Tennessee by taking home the Honda Award for Softball, the Women’s Sports Foundation Sportswoman of the Year, the Roy F. Kramer SEC Female Athlete of the Year award and the USA Softball National Player of the Year award.
Abbott is a two-time Olympian with Team USA and a three-time World Champion. She was inducted into the Tennessee Athletics Hall of Fame in 2017 and was the first Tennessee softball player to have her jersey retired on March 23, 2013.
Johnson-Belcher played at Kentucky from 2007-2010, holding numerous school records, appearing in multiple Team USA competitions, and guiding Kentucky to its first-ever NCAA Tournament appearance in 2009.
She currently is in her 14th season as Kentucky’s assistant coach, where she mans first base for the Wildcats and oversees the UK outfield development.
In 2010, she was the No. 2 overall pick in the National Pro Fastpitch Draft, where she left UK as its all-time hits leader and was named the program’s first-ever NFCA All-American just weeks later. She currently ranks inside the top 10 at Kentucky in hits, batting average, runs scored, doubles, home runs, at bats, slugging percentage, total bases, stolen bases, and fielding percentage.
The All-American shortstop also had a bevy of SEC accomplishments, winning All-SEC honors in all four years as a Wildcat. She was voted All-Freshman in 2007, All-SEC Second Team in 2008 and First Team in 2009 and 2010. She was also a member of the All-Defensive Team in 2010 and made the SEC All-Tournament Team in 2009, her junior campaign.
The 2024 Women’s Legends group includes:
Dee Foster, Alabama, Gymnastics (1990-93)
Krystal Osborne, Arkansas, Volleyball (1994-97)
DeWanna Bonner, Auburn, Basketball (2006-09)
Kiara Smith, Florida, Basketball (2018-22)
Ashley Houts, Georgia, Basketball (2006-10)
Molly Johnson-Belcher, Kentucky, Softball (2007-10)
Theresa Plaisance, LSU, Basketball (2010-14)
Ali Weisz, Ole Miss, Rifle (2013-17)
Tan White, Mississippi State, Basketball (1997-2001)
Bri Kulas, Missouri, Basketball (2012-14)
Blakely Mattern, South Carolina, Soccer (2006-09)
Monica Abbott, Tennessee, Softball (2004-07)
Jessica Beard, Texas A&M, Track & Field (2008-11)
Christina Foggie, Vanderbilt, Basketball (2011-14)
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