BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – Former Auburn soccer standout Katy (Frierson) Freels has been named a member of the Southeastern Conference 2019 Class of Women's Legends.
"Katy is in rare company as a SEC legend, and she is certainly deserving of this great honor," head coach Karen Hoppa said. "She was an exceptional player who led our team to a SEC Tournament Championship and four NCAA Tournament appearances and had a tremendous pro soccer career. She was also extraordinarily successful in the classroom, twice earning Academic All-American honors."
Freels, who competed on The Plains from 2008-11, holds Auburn's career records in assists (42) and points (104) and ranks fifth in SEC history in assists. She also ranks tied for second in program history in game-winning goals (11) and fourth in goals (31).
Freels paced the Tigers in points in each of her four seasons on The Plains and led the team in goals and assists on three occasions.
"What separates Katy in my mind is her character," Hoppa added. "She is a person who puts everyone else first and always set the example of doing what is right. She was a true servant leader for our team, and I am proud to have her continue to represent Auburn soccer."
The Homewood, Alabama, native is one of five soccer student-athletes in SEC history to be named First Team All-SEC four times, including the 2008 SEC Freshman of the Year. She was a two-time National Soccer Coaches Association of America All-American (2010-11) and is the only Hermann Trophy semifinalist in program history (2010).
Freels was a two-time CoSIDA and NSCAA Academic All-American (2010-11) and was not only named the 2010 NSCAA Scholar-Athlete of the Year, but also the 2011 SEC Scholar-Athlete of the Year.
Below is the list of the 2019 SEC Women's Legends:
Alabama - Rick Moody; 1989-2005, Basketball (Coach)
Arkansas - Stacy Lewis; 2005-08, Golf
Auburn - Katy (Frierson) Freels; 2008-11, Soccer
Florida - Marshae Dotson; 2005-09, Basketball
Georgia - Kelly and Coco Miller; 1997-2001, Basketball
Kentucky - Sarah Rumely; 2006-09, Volleyball
LSU - Karen Mayson Bahnsen; 1980-1983 (Student-Athlete), 1984-2018 (Coach), Golf
Ole Miss - Teneeshia Jones-Boyd; 1999-2001, Track & Field
Mississippi State - Carri Wood; 1990-93, Golf
Missouri - Nancy Rutter; 1974-78, Basketball
South Carolina - Heather Larkin; 1994-97, Volleyball
Tennessee - Nicky Anosike; 2004-08, Basketball
Texas A&M - Courtney Walker; 2012-16, Basketball
Vanderbilt - Simone Charley; 2013-17, Soccer/Track & Field
The class of 14 will be honored at the 2019 SEC Women's Basketball Tournament from Mar. 6-10 in Greenville, S.C. Each legend will be recognized during halftime of their team's first game of the tournament, and all 14 individuals will also be honored as a group.