March 9, 2005
IOWA CITY – University of Iowa senior catcher Kris Welker has been named to the 2005 Johnny Bench Award watch list. The Johnny Bench Award is given annually to the top collegiate catcher.
Thirty-seven catchers from 16 different conferences were nominated for the award by their coaches. The list will be narrowed down to ten on May 17, and three finalists will be named on June 1 before the winner is announced at the Greater Wichita Sports Banquet on June 29.
“We are very proud to have Welker nominated for this award,” Iowa Head Coach Jack Dahm said. “We’ve always known he is a great catcher, and it’s nice to see that others have been paying attention.”
Welker is currently hitting .350 with six RBIs in the first five games of the season.