BASEBALL

MAY 12, 2008
KING'S VENARCHICK NAMED TO ESPN THE MAGAZINE DISTRICT II ALL-ACADEMIC TEAM

WILKES-BARRE -- King's College baseball standout Jon Venarchick (Lehighton/Lehighton Area) has been named to the 2008 ESPN The Magazine District II All-Academic Team as a second-team selection.

To be nominated, student-athletes must maintain a minimum 3.20 overall grade-point average and be at least a sophomore in class standing. It marked the second straight year Venarchick was named a second-team All-District II selection.

Academically. Venarchick owns a 3.59 grade-point average in biology and has been named to the King's Dean's List on four occasions. He was named to both the Alpha Epsilon Delta Honor and Aquinas Honor societies.

Venarchick has also been heavily involved with community service through the King's baseball program's Extra Inning Club. He has volunteered to visit the elderly at River St. Manor; read to students at Pringle St. Elementary; serve food at St. Vincent DePaul Kitchen; and works with the local Headstart program. He has also volunteered three years with local Challenger Division Baseball League and played in marathon fund-raising games for Parents of Downs Syndrome and the Mike Coolbaugh Foundation.

On the field, Venarchick started 37 games for the Monarchs at both third-base and the outfield where he enjoyed an outstanding junior year. He finished the season with a .393 (59-150) batting average recording 11 doubles, two home runs, one triple, 35 RBI, and scored 33 runs while going 9-for-9 in stolen bases.

"Jon has been a tremendous asset to not only the King's College baseball team, but to the college and local communities as well," said King's sports information director Bob Ziadie, who nominated Venarchick for the award. "He has been a superb player at King's for three years; is an outstanding student; and is a dedicated community volunteer. In a day and age where some people find it difficult to manage a full course load, Jon has been able to balance academic, athletics, and community service in a highly successful manner. He is very deserving of this honor and stands a great representative of the King's College Athletic Department."