Harrogate, TN -- Lincoln Memorial senior softball shortstop
Gracie Palmer has been named the First Century Bank Scholar-Athlete of the Week. A native of Knoxville, Tennessee, and a graduate of Gibbs High School, Palmer has consistently demonstrated a commitment to excellence both on the field and in the classroom. Currently pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science, she maintains an impressive 3.910 grade point average while serving as a key leader for the Railsplitters softball program.
Palmer's academic resume is distinguished by numerous prestigious honors. During her tenure at Lincoln Memorial, she earned the 2025 D2 ADA Academic Achievement Award and secured a spot on the 2024-25 SAC Commissioner's Honor Roll. Her dedication to her studies was further recognized by the College Sports Communicators, who selected her for the 2025 Academic All-District Softball Team, and she was honored as an Easton/NFCA All-America scholar. These accolades follow a decorated high school career where she served as the salutatorian of her graduating class at Gibbs High School.
Beyond her individual studies, Palmer is deeply involved in the university community and local service initiatives. She is an inductee of the Chi Alpha Sigma Honor Society and serves as a representative for the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC). Her leadership extends to her role on the Fellowship of Christian Athletes leadership team and her membership in the Exercise Science Club. Palmer also prioritizes community service, volunteering annually for organizations such as ROHO and Clays for Kids.
On the diamond, Palmer has been a versatile and reliable presence for the Railsplitters. Throughout her collegiate career, she has appeared in 117 games, starting 114, recording 80 hits, 13 doubles, and 44 runs batted in. Her defensive reliability is evidenced by 187 putouts and 232 assists across four seasons, including a stellar .974 fielding percentage in the current 2026 campaign. Before joining Lincoln Memorial, she was a standout multi-sport athlete in Knoxville, earning All-State honors in both softball and basketball while being named a district tournament MVP.
