Ched Gaskin, a junior catcher from PNC's Baseball Team was named the 2012 Purdue North Central Athlete of the Year by PNC's Athletic Department on Monday. He joins a class of nine other former outstanding PNC athletes since the awards creation in 2003.

The criteria for receiving the annual honor reflects the athletes most current season to date and examines his or her season statistics, team impact and distinguishing accolades.

"We had many deserving athletes of the honor this year, it was really stiff competition, but it is not all that often that an athlete has the type of season that earns them All-American honors, Ched was the clear-cut choice," said athletic coordinator Tom Albano.

Gaskin, a junior catcher from Breighton, MI was also recently named a 2012 Baseball Second Team All-American by the NAIA last month.

A total of 67 players were honored with All-American status around the nation by the NAIA, including five from the Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference.

In order to be selected as an All-American you must first have been named First Team All-Conference and First Team All-Region with each of these members considered for various All-American teams (First Team, Second Team, Honorable Mention).

Gaskin was named All-Conference by the Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference selection committee in May. The junior backstop beat out freshman catcher Cameron Balough, a conference rival, from Judson University to earn First-Team status.

Gaskin batted .412 (80 for 194) with eight homeruns, 73 RBI, 12 doubles, two triples, 32 walks, two stolen bases and 21 runs while slugging .619. The 73 RBI shattered the previous school record of 61.

Gaskin transferred from Muskegon Community College (MCC), a junior college, to Purdue North Central in the fall of 2011. As a Jayhawk Gaskin set the school record for most RBI's  and doubles in a single season with 74 and 35 respectively.

"We're all very pleased for Ched," said 8th year head coach John Weber. "He deserved this honor as he worked hard on his game all year. I believe Ched has only tapped into his potential both on and off the field and can keep improving."

Gaskin is PNC's first-ever Second Team All-American and fifth-ever to be honored with All-American status in the program's history. Past Alumni Chris Schultz (First Base) was First Team in 2008, Tom Albano (Pitcher) was Honorable Mention in 2007, Chris Stocker (Catcher) was Honorable Mention in 2006 and former first baseman Gary Ray received the same honor in 2004.

For the complete list of 2012 NAIA Baseball All-Americans, click here.

Overall, the Panthers finished 29-30, the third highest win total in program history.