Central College center fielder and Pella native Sara Tallman was named to the Division III Academic All-America softball team as selected by the College Sports Information Directors of America. She was a second-team selection. Tallman graduated with a 3.96 grade point average and a degree in elementary education. Honorees must have a 3.20 cumulative grade point average and be a starter or top reserve to be eligible for nomination. Selections are based on a combination of academics and athletics performance. Three Division III teams were chosen and Tallman was the only American Rivers Conference player selected.

Central has now had athletes receive CoSIDA Academic All-America recognition 64 times, including four times in softball. Tallman is the first Dutch softball player to receive the award since 1993 when Mindi Remsburg and Heather Reedy were honored. She is the second Central student-athlete cited this year after kicker Jon Alberts was a first-team pick in football for the second straight year.

Tallman, who is returning to Central next spring and will compete again for the Dutch, earlier received academic all-district distinction for the second straight year. A three-time NFCA Division III All-Midwest Region and American Rivers first-team all-conference pick, Tallman has hit .399 for her career with 10 doubles, 131 runs scored, 43 RBIs and 101 stolen bases, which ranks second in Central history and among the active leaders in Division III.

In Central’s abbreviated 2020 season, Tallman hit .455 with 11 runs in seven games, six stolen bases and her first collegiate home run, an inside-the-park shot.