Gustine High School graduate Kyle Gerhart, a senior outfielder for New Mexico Highlands University, has been named a pre-season All-American for the West Region.

Gerhart hit .403 for the Cowboys last season with a .657 slugging percentage. He had 10 doubles and 12 home runs while driving in 50 runs.

He is performing in the classroom as well as on the diamond.

Gerhart, who graduated from Gustine High in 2002, is a National Scholars Honor Society member and made the university’s academic honor roll.

He was one of two student athletes from New Mexico Highlands to attend an NCAA leadership conference in Dallas last fall.

“The conference was about learning the kind of person you are and the kind of leader you are,” he commented.

Gerhart, the son of Mike and DeeDee Gerhart, hopes to continue playing baseball after college.

He said he received inquiries from the Cubs and the Braves over the summer, when he played baseball in Santa Maria.

The Cowboys will open their 2008 season in early February.