We report on how our favorite bobsledder did in the Olympics today, plus head to North Carolina to profile a top prospect who says her hometown is a lot like the Andy Griffith show (you youngsters, look up the show!).  We have a recent commit from the Bandits who talks about her commit and an Arizona player on our 2014 Watch List who’s excited to say where she’s headed.  Finally, we go deep into the archives to look at an event seven years ago that was loaded with young talent including six now on the USA Softball Top 50 Watch List…

 

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OLYMPIC NEWS: GW ALUM ELANA MEYERS TAKES SILVER

Elana Meyers, the former George Washington softball, and her partner Lauryn Williams captured the silver medal in the two-person bobsled Wednesday at the Sochi Olympics.

Here’s a story on Yahoo! detailing how close the two came to capturing the Gold

The good news is Meyers became the first woman in U.S. bobsledding history to win two medals after she captured a bronze in the Vancouver Games.

And kudos to her and Williams, a few days ago their sled was trashed and had to be rebuilt.  They came just a hair short of a Gold, but don’t be surprised if both are back in four years and are the favorites to get the top medal.

This is the Official Results page for the bobsled competition

 

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PLAYER PROFILE: VADA SHERRILL

Grad Year: 2015
Pos: infielder
High School: Alexander Central (Taylorsville, N.C.)
Club: NC Lady Lightning
Honors: All-State, team won 2013 state title
College: uncommitted

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StudentSportsSoftball.com: We have Alexander Central No. 6 in the nation in our FAB 50 preseason rankings after your team went 33-1 last year.  Having won a state title and so highly ranked, is there a lot of pressure on you or the reverse, a lot of confidence in the team?
Vada Sherrill: I have always lived to play under pressure, but growing up where I have, winning is everything. Being trained under pressure is what is instilled in us here at AC. We have practice jacked up where everything’s fast and hard which makes games easier and slow. But all through everything I put almost more pressure on myself than my dad. I always want to get better than I was the day before and try my best not to be complacent. I take pride in where I come from and how it has shaped me into the physically and mentally tough player I am now. Our expectation is winning the state championship.

 

SSS.com: You play for your father, Monte Sherrill, who’s won 10 state titles at the high level… what was that like growing up and always being around softball and winning programs?
VS: Growing up softball has always been a major part of life. I’ve had the excuse to everything, “Sorry I’ve got softball” routine down pat. Although having my dad as a big part in the reason I started playing softball, I know I would have loved it anyway. Being the bat girl/ manager/ daughter/ and the kid every player babysits, I have loved every second of it. In every picture that we have at home, I am holding up a No. 1 finger. We Sherrills know how to win and how to do it well. Dad’s love of the game has rubbed off on me and we share the thrills of the game. I most definitely proud of my dad for all of his accomplishments and he is truly a hero.

 

SSS.com:  Being the coach’s daughter can have its good and bad… explain the ups and downs…
VS: Any player can say that they have been coached the hardest by my dad, but try going home with him! When I get home after a game, I hear the game all over again, play by play. Good points and the ones that can be improved upon. I get hit the hardest balls, get thrown the fastest pitches, gets yelled at the most, and takes the brunt of most mistakes of the team. But, I couldn’t ask for a better coach. He is always the one that has got my back and gives me help at any time. If I ever want to take some BP or just look at my swing on film, he’s already got it hooked up and read to work on.

 

SSS.com:  I saw you at the Diamond9 Classic last November and you dominated on the field making a diving play for an out and then turning a double play… how did you get to be such a good defensive infielder?
VS: I’ve played the game since I could walk. I really feel like God has blessed me with a gift and it took me a long to appreciate the game. I play to my fullest potential but defense is played with an attitude. I don’t think anything can change a game quite like a great defensive play. It takes the momentum out of the opposing hitters and usually carries over to our offense.

 

SSS.com: Most players tend to see club ball as the competitive side and high school ball as being more casual… but playing at Central and for your Dad, do you find it as competitive as club play?
VS: I most definitely feel like my high school ball is as competitive as club ball. The level that we play at is as competitive as any other ball I’ve played. The only difference is the level of competition at the conference and state level of school ball. Club ball has a much larger scale of play. We have such intense games at our high school that are just hard to compare to than in travel ball. I feel like that why our high school intensity has prepared me to be calm under high pressure conditions.

 

SSS.com: On the recruiting side, where are you in the process… have you narrowed it down or are you still pretty open?
VS: As of right now, I am still pretty open. Several SEC schools have expressed interest and I like Georgia, South Carolina, Alabama and others like North Carolina State.  Georgia is appealing because my former teammate, Chelsea Wilkinson, plays there. I think I committed too early to a great ACC school (Virginia Tech) and after much thought and prayer, I just didn’t think it was the best fit for me so now I have to go back to the beginning of the recruiting process.

 

SSS.com: What are the key aspects you’re looking for in a program?  In other words, what are your priorities (distance, conference, playing time, academics, fit with coaches and players, etc.)?
VS: The key things that I am looking for in a college program are its team atmosphere (as a family), great coaching, relatively close to home (four hours), and having a great Physical Education program.

 

SSS.com: What would be the best piece of advice you’d give younger players coming up in how to succeed in softball on and off the field?
VS: Softball is a sport where you must sacrifice, train, and do everything possible to put yourself in a position to win. You’ve got to play from your heart and have that same go get ’em attitude on and off the field. Softball is a strange game in that it’s you against the pitcher within a team concept. You have to excel at your job to bring victory to the whole team. If you want to excel in softball, give 110 percent and nothing less. Champions aren’t born, they’re made.

 

SSS.com: Describe in one or two sentences what, in your opinion, makes softball such a great sport…
VS: I’m sure other sports that girls play offer their own challenges and difficulty but there is no game as difficult to play as softball. As my dad says, “It’s a game of adversity and whoever overcomes it is a champion.”

 

SSS.com: Of all you’ve accomplished in the sports, what’s been a top memory or two for you in your softball career?
VS: Out of all the ball that I’ve played growing up, my top memory would most definitely have to be my sophomore year at AC. I had just gotten hit by a D1 pitcher and took first base. There was one out, tied score, and in the bottom of the ninth inning. On the first pitch, I stole second. Averi Miller, our third baseman, hit a deep fly in left field. I noticed that the left fielder’s back was fully turned so I tagged up and scored from second to win the conference championship.

 

Quick Hitters

 

What do you want to do post-softball playing career?
Teach P.E. / coach in my county.

Fill in the blank… What separates me from other student-athletes is:_________________
… that I know the little details in the game that can make a difference in success.

What’s one issue in the news that you focus on or care about (and why)?
The weather. Determines whether we’re inside or out for practice (laughs). We live softball around this place. You just have to live here to understand how big softball is here. Softball here is like football at other schools.

Favorite vacation spot:
Mexico

Least favorite chore:
Laundry

What type of bat do you use (and do you like it)?
2004 Anderson Rocketech: It’s an old classic and it’s got a lot of pop to it.

What is one thing or person that’s sure to make you laugh?
My sisters Bailey and Darby or my best friend Cory.

What’s something unusual or different about you that few know?
Not a lot of people know that my middle name is a color, Blue. My dad always tells me I was named after the pitcher for the Oakland A’s in the 70’s, Vida Blue, but actually it’s my great-grandmother’s name.

Being from N.C., what from your state or area would you say you’re most proud of?
My hometown is built around a blue-collar work ethic and we’ve only got one stoplight in Hiddenite. People around here speak to everybody and anybody just like a brother. It’s a lot like the Andy Griffith Show.

If you were stranded on a desert island and could only take one thing with you, what would it be?
I would take Oreo’s.

What’s your No. 1 goal for 2014?
To win our 9th state championship and get a second ring to wear around.

Do you have a phrase or motto that’s your favorite or something you live by?
In the Bible, Esther 4:14: “For you were made for such a time as this.”

 

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RECRUIT SPOTLIGHT OF THE DAY: CAITLYN ROBINSON

High school: Clinton-Massie
City: Clarksville
State: 
Ohio
Grad year: 2016
Club: Beverly Bandits DeMarini 18U
Position(s): 1B/OF
Height: 5-10

Stats: high school (2013): hit .597 with four home runs, 38 RBI and .990 fielding percentage; club (summer 2013): hit .445 with .667 slugging percentage with 32 RBI
Honors: 2nd Team All-Conference, started every varsity game at third base; attended the PGF National 16U and placed 17th; invited to attend OnDeck Recruiting Chicago Jamboree

College: Ball State
Other Offers: “I had interest and went on visits to Wisconsin, Loyola, and Ohio State.”
Why Ball State? “Ball State softball team has won the MAC Championship four out of five years! Coach Perry is a great coach and I really liked their schedule and the fact that the university is a little over two hours away from home so my parents can make it to games.”
On Beverly Bandits’ leader Bill Conroy: “I have so much to thank him for. He helped so many players and spoke to me weekly for the last seven months helping with my recruiting!”

What is your favorite bat: “My DeMarini CF6. I just got it broken in and hot for high school season!
What bat does your team use? DeMarini CF6
What is your favorite brand of cleats? 
Nike
What is the uniform brand you prefer?

 

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RECRUITING NEWS:

*** Got a really nice note from Gracie Taber, a 2014 outfielder from Ariz. who we have on our Watch List.

She wrote to say:

“Thank you for all your website does to help student athletes and for including me on the 2014 Watch List. I am really proud to say I will be playing next year at Emory for an awesome coach at an incredible institution.”

“I played for Lil Saints Gold last Summer and went to Pennsbury with WA Mosquito Squad Gold which was awesome event and I cannot wait to return.with them.

“I am grateful for softball and the drive, competition and discipline it has brought out in me on the field and in the classroom.”

“Wishing StudentSportsSoftball.com and all the athletes continued success!”

Dream Big & Hit Big!
Gracie Taber
Class of 2014

 

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FROM THE ARCHIVES: RECAPPING THE 2007 NATIONAL FUTURES CAMP

We have all the respect in the world for Derek and Joanne Allister and their track record speaks for itself… so let’s go back to 2007 when they had their big nationals camp as part of our Throwback Thursday.

Would you believe that six of the current USA Softball Top 50 Watch List candidates were at this event? I’m not going to tell you who they are today, you’ll have to search the article below and figure it out (actually, tomorrow I’ll list the half dozen!).

But go down to the list at the bottom and look at the talent overall… very, very impressive!

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October 2007 — The 2007 National Camp was held on October 16-18 at Mt. San Antonio College in Walnut, Calif. and from all appearances was a big success once again this year. Over 50 major D-I coaches attended along with coaches from other levels. Check inside to find out the list of the elite players who attended and several who caught the eyes of scouts and coaches.

One thing you can say about Derek and Joann Allister—they know how to throw a great party.

Once again, the National Futures Camp held in Walnut, Calif. two weeks ago and organized by the husband and wife tandem was a big success based on opinions from players and coaches.

Derek says there were four keys to the success of the party… uh, camp.

“First, the Mt. SAC (San Antonio College) venue was superb,” he began. “They have a beautiful complex worthy of a major four year university.

Secondly, the weather was perfect. The early week rains cleared out, the sun shined and the wind stayed down. It was really a great two days for softball.

Third, the group of players played extremely well. We had a number of real surprises, and several nationally-known players cemented their reputations.

Finally, the college coach turnout was unbelievable. We had 51 Division 1 coaches in attendance representing 48 different schools. All the major conferences were represented: the Pac-10, the SEC, the Big 12, the Big 10, the ACC, the Big East, Conference USA, the Big West, the Mountain West, the WAC, the Sun Belt, the Missouri Valley, the Pacific Coast, the MAC, and the Mid-Continent, along with several independents. We also had several other Division II, Division III and NAIA coaches turn out, making it very impressive.

Needless to say, the event was a huge hit and we are extremely grateful to the college coaches who continue to believe and support our endeavors to help these athletes realize
their dreams.

Without the tremendous support of these coaches, we could never make this a reality. This concept has come a long way since its inception in Las Vegas three years ago. We hope we will continue to be able to connect college coaches with such outstanding players in this way for years to come.”

*****Based on discussions with key scouts and coaches, here are some of the highlights of players who stood out…

In the 2009 class, Jessica Shults, Megan Harvey, Emily Allard, Mikey Kenney, Allison Kutz and JC Clayton made big moves up and now appear to be national level recruits.

Jenna Rich, Destiny Rodino and Jerrin Faasua cemented their status as big-time players and elite members of this class.

In the class of 2010, Courtney Ceo, Morghan Doughty, Madison Shipman and Nicole Morgan broke through in a big way.

In fact, several college coaches in attendance felt that the athletic SS Courtney Ceo and the intriguing, but unknown SS Madison Shipman were two of the best prospects in the entire camp.

Ceo is a high level athlete with superb defensive skills and a bat to match. Shipman is a tall and lanky athlete with all sorts of potential. Both will soon be elite players in this class.

Tatum and Taylor Edwards, along with Laura Winter, Whitney Jones, Alex Robben and Pauline Monreal continued their ascension to the top of the 2010 class.

Of great interest to all who came to the camp was the outstanding potential displayed by the group of 2011’s. Ally Carda, Nyree White, Breana Kostreba, Cheyenne Cordes and Stephany La Rosa were all rated by most in attendance to be some of the finest players in the camp. Amber Freeman, Hallie Wilson, Cheyenne Tarango, Jamie Sullivan and Amber Morrow weren’t far behind.

Logan Spaw, Tylyn Wells, Maria Sio and Danielle Henderson all showed flashes of brilliance. The camp was buzzing with excitement over the all-around skills, strength, power and athleticism of this high level group.

 

*****Here is a list of the players who participated from each class:

2009 Players
Emily Allard — Sorcerers
Gabby Aragon –SoCal Athletics
Melissa Brown –Choppers
Raven Chavanne –Batbusters
JC Clayton –Salinas Wildcats
Ashley Collier –Choppers
Samantha Dodd –Cruisers
Jaquilyn Edwards –Corona Angels
Jerrin Faasua –The Next Level
Ensley Gammel –Firecrackers
Megan Harvey –Eugene Thunder
Kayla Howard –Corona Angels
Patrice Jackson –Kansas City White Sox
Mikey Kenney –Colorado Comets
Baillie Kirker –Firecrackers
Allison Kutz –WA Lake Breeze
Rebecca Patton –Firecrackers
Julia Pecina –SoCal Wicked
Dana Perez –Firecrackers
Jenna Rich –Cruisers
Destiny Rodino –Choppers
Jessica Shults –Firecrackers
Alex Skinkis –Firecrackers
Trista Thomas –Desert Thunder

2010 Players
Naomi Amu –The Next Level
Morgan Barnes –OR Legacy
Rebekah Cantillo –Corona Angels
Courtney Ceo –All American Sports Acad.
Erica Cipolloni –NJ Breakers
Cassidy Coleman –The Next Level
Ashley Decker– Sorcerers
Morghan Doughty –Desert Thunder
Tatum Edwards –Corona Angels
Taylor Edwards –Corona Angels
Leesa Gresham –Fresno Force
Jessica Hall –Corona Angels
Karlyn Jones –Sorcerers
Victoria Jones –The Next Level
Whitney Jones –Corona Angels
Faith Koria –SD Legacy
Micherie Koria –SD Legacy
CeCe Luster –Cruisers
Destineee Martinez –Corona Angels
Pauline Monreal –Batbusters
Nicole Morgan –Impact Gold (TX)
Hayley Miles –Lady Magic
Alex Robben –Sorcerers
Karli Sandoval –Corona Angels
Madison Shipman –Choppers
Laura Winter –The Next Level

2011 Players
Ally Carda –Lady Magic
Cheyenne Cordes –Lady Magic
Amber Freeman –Batbusters
Danielle Henderson –Lady Magic
Breana Kostreba –Sorcerers
Stephany La Rosa –Corona Angels
Amber Morrow –Absolute Blast
Maria Sio –Firecrackers
Logan Spaw –KC Zephyers
Jamie Sullivan –Firecrackers
Cheyenne Tarango –Firecrackers
Tylyn Wells –AA Sports Academy
Nyree White –Eugene Thunder
Hallie Wilson –Firecrackers

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Players, parents and coaches:  want to know the best way to get us info on your favorite player?  Fill out our Recruit Form link and complete.  It comes directly to me (Brentt) and you very likely could see the info used somewhere on our site!

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If you’d like to submit information, forward to brentt@studentsports.com.  Also, follow us on twitter at @SS_Softball.