Former Knight Infielder Thomas McCarthy of Kentucky Nominated for Prestigious Award.

Corvallis Product is Lowe's Senior CLASS Award Nominee

Former Crescent Valley High, Richey's Market and Corvallis Knights standout Thomas McCarthy (pictured), a senior third baseman at University of Kentucky, is one of 30 nominees nationwide for the Lowe's Senior CLASS Award.

The CLASS (Celebrating Loyalty and Achievement for Staying in School) Award focuses on the total student-athlete experience and encourages students to use their platform in athletics to make a positive impact as leaders in their communities.

The list of 30 candidates will be narrowed to the 10 players on the final ballot midway through the regular season. Ballots will be distributed to media, Division I head coaches and fans, who will select one finalist who best exemplifies excellence in the four Cs of community, classroom, character and competition.

McCarthy played for the 2010 Knights, who won the West Coast League's West Division regular-season title with a 31-17 record before being eliminated in the first round of the playoffs by Bend. He hit .248 in 46 total games, with no homers and 18 RBIs.

A psychology major, McCarthy has a 3.4 cumulative grade-point average and is a member of Kentucky's Student Athletic Advisory Council. He was an All-Southeastern Conference selection in 2011 and is a 2012 co-captain.

A transfer from Feather River Junior College, McCarthy has mentored and coached on the Bluegrass Miracle League, a little league that gives handicapped children the opportunity to play baseball.

McCarthy has volunteered in the God's Pantry program, packing backpacks for underprivileged elementary-school students and distributing them at local schools. He has also volunteered to speak at various elementary schools, participated in a bake sale for the Salvation Army, and helped raise money for a young girl who was desperately in need of finances for a blood transfusion.

Click here to read more about McCarthy's exploits at Kentucky and the Lowe's Senior CLASS Award.

Kentucky has started the season 5-0 and Thomas is hitting .300 with a double and home run.