State College, Pa., May, 25, 2000 - Penn State junior outfielder Karen Gulini (Easton, Pa.) was selected among the 2000 All-America Award winners which were announced last night (Wednesday, May 24) by the National Fastpitch Coaches Association. Gulini was named to the All-America Third Team, becoming the first Nittany Lion to be recognized with All-America status since Carol Fultz earned the honor in 1985.

Gulini, who was selected to the Great Lakes All-Region First Team, was a major factor in Penn State setting a school-record with 38 wins this season and qualifying for NCAA Regional play for the first time since 1985. The right fielder led the Big Ten with a .400 batting average and ranked fourth in the conference with 27 stolen bases. She led Penn State with 64 hits, ranked second in runs scored with 33 and posted the squad's second-highest on-base percentage at .422. Gulini sported a team-best 20-game hitting streak from March 24 through April 4, while hitting at a .493 clip over that period. She also is currently tied for second with teammate Gina Bianchini (Pottstown, Pa.) among Penn State's career stolen base leaders with 70. On the defensive side, Gulini recorded a .977 fielding percentage while committing only one error. She hit her first career home run in the Lions' win over Wisconsin on April 21.

Named Penn State's offensive player of the year, Gulini has also been recognized with first-team All-Big Ten status in addition to being named to the GTE Academic All-District squad this season.

Gulini is the second member of the Penn State softball program to garner All-America status in school-history.