CAZENOVIA, NY (05/06/2011)(readMedia)-- Jessica Kneaskern, of Union Springs, N.Y., and Taylor Kubber, of Theresa, N.Y., have been invited to participate on the USA Athletes International (USAAI) softball team. Both Cazenovia College women softball players, Kneaskern and Kubber will join 12 other players from around the United States from Division I, II, and III colleges.
The USAAI team will represent the United States in the 2011 Curacao Friendship Series on the island of Curacao from June 6 – 13. This event provides athletes the opportunity to foster international goodwill and friendship among nations. During the eight-day trip, athletes will play a series of games and be given the opportunity to learn about the culture of the Curacao Island.
"I am very honored and excited to have been selected to play on such a team," commented Jessica Kneaskern. "This is a great opportunity to experience sports, not just on a physical level but a cultural one as well." A senior at Cazenovia College, Kneaskern will be graduating with a bachelor of arts degree in Communication Studies this May. As a graduate of Union Spring High School, she played for her high school varsity softball team for four years, and was a member of the Southern Springs travel softball team. Kneaskern was named first team all-star for three years in high school, and was named third team all-star for the North Eastern Athletic Conference (NEAC) at Cazenovia.
Taylor Kubber added, "I am really excited to have this opportunity to play the sport I love while experiencing another culture." Kubber, a sophomore at Cazenovia College, is working towards a bachelor of science degree in Inclusive Elementary Education. As a graduate of Indian River High School, she was named to the Section 3 all-star team and the all-state team.
The USA Athletes International is a non-profit organization dedicated to giving amateur athletes and coaches the opportunity to participate in international Olympic-style sporting events throughout the world, while also allowing them to broaden their educational and cultural knowledge of the world through the experience.
Cazenovia College, named one of "America's Best Colleges" by US News & World Report, is an independent, co-educational, baccalaureate college, located near Syracuse, N.Y. Cazenovia, selected as a College of Distinction by www.collegesofdistinction.com, offers a comprehensive liberal arts education in an exceptional community environment, with academic and co-curricular programs devoted to developing leaders in their professional fields. For more information, visit www.cazenovia.edu.