[06/12/02]Taylor Tankersley, a former Warren Central standout who led the Vikings to the 2001 Class 5A state championship, garnered third-team All-America honors as chosen by the National College Baseball Writers Association.

The University of Alabama pitcher is one of just four freshmen in the country to earn the honor. Tankersley joins Vincent Sinisi and Phillip Humber (Rice), and Darryl Lawhorn (East Carolina) on the third team.

Tankersley led the Crimson Tide with 25 appearances, compiling an 8-5 record with a 2.62 ERA. His eight wins tied the school record for a freshman.

He also had eight saves, second most by a freshman in school history.

He was third in the Southeastern Conference in ERA and saves, and opponents hit just .225 against him, the second-lowest average in the conference.