December 2012

Iowa Softball Gives Back to the Community

Iowa Softball Newsletter

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Iowa Softball has always been involved

in community service, but this year’s

team has taken service a step further.

In the past the Hawkeyes performed

community service as a team, but they

now serve specific causes in small

groups of three. There are eight

groups total amongst the team and each

group volunteers with an organization

of their choosing. The volunteer

organizations were selected by group

members rather than the coaching staff

in an effort to give the team ownership

of their projects.

The organizations selected by the

groups are as follows: Miracles in

Motion (helps kids with physical and

mental Disabilities), Beading for

Autism, Domestic Violence

Intervention, Juvenile Diabetes

Research Foundation, Ronald

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McDonald House, Iowa City Hospice,

Iowa City Animal Shelter, VA Hospital.

Each group will conduct 16 hours of

service during the fall semester and 10

hours of service in the spring. The

community service projects will culminate

with an awareness game in the spring.

On April 6, the Hawk’s home game vs.

Nebraska will be an awareness game

where the team will raise awareness for

the organizations they are working with.

Iowa Softball team members will

coordinate all of the game day awareness

activities with their respective

organizations.

The Hawks are more than happy to give

back to those around them, but the

student-athletes are finding that the

community is not the only party

benefiting from service. “Our community

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service project has taught me selflessness.

I cannot help but realize how truly blessed

I am to be healthy and happy and to be

able to compete in the sport that I love,”

said sophomore Tor Hawley. Hawley is

working with the Diabetes Research

Foundation.

Whether the Iowa City community,

national community, or the Iowa softball

team, it is certain that no one will come

away from this experience unchanged.

Freshman Erin Erickson, Sophomore Tor Hawley, and

Junior Michelle Zoeller, stop for a photo during their

service project with the Juvenile Diabetes Research

Foundation.

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Iowa Signs three in the early Signing Period

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Three new Hawkeyes will be added to

the roster in the fall of 2013 as

announced by head coach, Marla

Looper. Claire Fritsch (IF/OF, Round

Rock, TX), Michaela Johnson (1B,

Wake Village, TX), and Kara Misel

(3B/1B, Solon, IA) will join the

Hawkeye softball team next fall.

Claire Fritsch is a slapper whose

primary position is in the middle infield.

Michaela Johnson will be considered at

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1B for the Hawkeyes and she has pure

raw power at the plate. Kara Misel is a

power hitter who can play the corners.

"The 2013 class is going to bring us

depth on the corners, and it will give us

more power in the lineup," said

Looper.

The Hawkeyes graduate five seniors this

year, four of which were starters on last

year’s team, but the incoming class will

have to compete with returners for

Kara Misel will be one of seven Hawkeyes from the state of Iowa

on the 2013-2014 softball roster. Kara has the potential to impact

the lineup immediately with her bat. She is expected to continue

the line of quality in-state student-athlete, as she is an excellent

student and aspires to attend medical school.

Michaela Johnson is a power hitting first

baseman from Texas. Michaela has immense

raw natural power and a huge upside. She is

one of three Hawkeyes from Texas who have

joined the team under Marla Looper.

Claire Fritsch is a dynamic slapper and middle infielder

from Texas. She is expected to be an immediate

impact player on both offense and defense.

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starting positions. “We will graduate a

large number, but we are not replacing

it with much because we expect those

in the program to fill those spots if they

haven't already. We are looking

forward to adding this class to what we

already have," Looper said.

The incoming class will have to work

hard to challenge their teammates, but

the result will be a stronger team.

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Kristin Johnson (2000-2003) Where is she now?

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Resume: One World Series Appearance (2001), Two time All-American, Big Ten Champion, Big Ten Tournament Champion, All-Big Ten, Academic All-American Hometown/Current Residence: Cedar Rapids, IA/Denver, CO Current Occupation: Physical Therapist and Assistant Coach for Regis Softball (Division II) Since Graduating From Iowa: Played three seasons in the National Professional Fastpitch League and spent one season as an assistant coach at the University of Maine. Graduated from Regis with a graduate degree in Physical Therapy (3 year program) and an assistant coach at Regis (5 seasons). She made a trip to Ethiopia 2 years ago to

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work with women in a fistula clinic. She enjoys running and has competed in several races and half-marathons. She is also known to play a little slow-pitch softball from time to time. Favorite memory from Iowa: “There are several great memories from my time at Iowa, many of them playing but most of them off of the field. Perhaps my strongest game memory comes from 2001 when we beat Notre Dame in the regional tournament for a birth in the World Series. The game itself involved contributions from several players and although it was close much of the game, there came a point when I knew we were going to win. The sense of confidence and cohesion was felt by all and seemed almost palpable. This accomplishment was even sweeter due to the fact our team had worked through several difficult challenges over the course of that season. In the end we found a way to work through those challenges and come together as a unit.”

A Sneak Peek

Pearl field will get banners for the upcoming season similar to the artist’s rendering above. The banners pictured above are not the exact banners, but the rendering is similar. In addition to improving the aesthetic appearance, the banners will cut down on the wind that hits the fans. The banners on the back of the stadium will honor Iowa’s All-Americans (left).

Iowa Softball Newsletter 4

Chelsey Carmody Joins the Hawkeye Coaching Staff

2013 IOWA SOFTBALL ROSTER

1 Aspen Rhodes Fr. Van Meter, IA

2 Erin Erickson Fr. Oakland, CA

3 Micaela Whitney Fr. Omaha, NE

4 Megan Blank So. Culver City, CA

5 Brianna Luna Jr. Indio, CA

6 Ashley Akers Sr. Tiffin, IA

7 Sydney Reynolds So. Platte City, MO

8 Whitney Repole Fr. San Antonio, TX

9 Johnnie Dowling Sr. Des Moines, IA

10 Nikki Gentile Jr. Martinez, CA

12 Sam Valentine Sr. Centerville, IA

13 Tor Hawley So. Eldgridge, IA

14 Michelle Zoeller Jr. Mequon, WI

15 Malloree Grove Jr. Indianola, IA

16 Shayla Starkenburg Fr. Ankeny, IA

17 Kayla Massey Jr. Foothill Ranch, CA

18 Bradi Wall Sr. Saskatchewan, Canada

19 Chelsea Lyon Sr. Broken Arrow, OK

21 Sammi Gyerman Fr. San Pedro, CA

22 Haley Hansel Fr. Overland Park, KS

24 Brittanee Grove Jr. Indianola, IA

32 Krystal Shirrell Fr. Brownsburg, IN

35 Steviee Grove Jr. Indianola, IA

55 Holly Hoffman Fr. Osceola, IN

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Former Iowa softball standout and

alumni, Chelsey Carmody has joined

the Iowa Softball staff as a volunteer

assistant coach.

Carmody joins the Hawkeye staff one

year after graduating from Iowa. She

spent the past year working in her

hometown of St. Louis and coaching

the travel team she played for in high

school, the St. Louis Chaos. She

decided to become a volunteer

assistant in an effort to prepare herself

to enter coaching as a profession, and

Iowa was the right fit. “I was drawn to

this school as an athlete and for many

of the same reasons I wished to return

in order to get my feet wet in the

coaching world,” Carmody said.

The move back to Iowa was a natural

one for Chelsey given her familiarity

with the program and the coaching

staff. “Chelsey understands our

system and knows what we are

looking for. She has been a

tremendous help in breaking down

individual skill sets and allowing

groups to get more instruction,” says

assistant coach, Adrianna Baggetta.

Carmody works both with the offense

and defense. She primarily works

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with the middle infield and slappers

but she also assists with the outfield

and hitters. “I’m hopeful that my

insight and experience on the left

side of the plate and as an infielder

will aid in both slapper development

as well as the progression of the

middle infielders,” said Carmody.

Carmody can be found in the Iowa

Softball record book in several

offensive categories. She ranks 6th in

career hits (234), 6th in career runs

(127), 11th in batting average (.335),

and 12th in career doubles (34). She

was a four year starter and all-

conference selection in the middle

infield for the Hawkeyes. Carmody

graduated from Iowa in the spring of

2011 with a degree in geography.

Iowa Softball Alumni, Chelsey Carmody joins the

Hawkeye coaching staff for the 2012-2013 season.

Save The Date:

What: Alumni Day at the Ballpark When: Saturday April 27, 2013

Mark your calendars for alumni day in 2013! Alumni will be honored at our game vs. Penn State and there will be a BBQ immediately following the game. We hope to see you all there!