ACC SIGNINGS

Boston College:
Brianne Tanke
Nicole Koszowski
Megan Scanlon
Tory Speer
Alana DiMaso

Florida State:
Ashlyn Masters
Maddie O'Brien
Kelly Hensley
Hannah Rogers
Evelyn Morgado
Celeste Gomez

Georgia Tech:
Lindsey Anderson
Ashley Thomas
Alysha Rudnik
Hayley Downs

Maryland:
Candice Beards
Kelly Trimble
Jessica Warner
Nicole Mantheiy
Jessica Butler
Amanda McCann

North Carolina:
Sara Bucholz
Amy Nece
Lori Spingola
Ashley Bone
Jordan Scarboro

North Carolina State:
Chelsea Hartsell
Kayla Cox
Chelsea Tate
Albernice Drayton

Virginia:
Erica Cippoloni
Alex Rodriguez
Stephanie Harris
Marcy Bowdren

*For additions, corrections, or comments contact: garland@studentsports.com

By Garland Cooper

Butler was the second ranked team in 2008 according to our FAB 50 National Rankings.

This year might be a little different for them since they lose their star pitcher, Constance Orr, as well as two other seniors: big hitter and catcher McKenzie Morenus and first baseman Jessica Bowen.

They have won three titles in a row and had a 29-0 record last year. This, however, will most likely change without Orr in 2009.

While the team does bring back six starters, like the state championship MVP Melinda Collins, they will not have the pitching to have another undefeated season.

With the six coming back they still can go deep into playoffs, but it won't be the same fear-generating team as last year.

By Garland Cooper

	PHOTO CREDIT
	One SPARQ Tester prepares for the vertical jump.

Below are the top testers in the vertical jump from this past weekend's SPARQ Testing at the Rising Stars Winter Showcase. 

VERTICAL JUMP

Tahla Wade-Lake County Freedom-IL-2011-OF-26.3
Logan White-Brantford Bobcats-Ont., Can.-2010-INF-25.5
McKenzie Woody-2010-OF-24.8
Elaina Hempe-2009-OF-24.4
Kathryn Malcolm-CT Eliminators Red Donovan-CT-2011-INF-24.4
Kelsie Scott-Vienna Stars 18U Gold-VA-2010-OF-23.8
Christie Wright-Stretchion Lady Stars-NC-2009-OF-23.6
Stephanie Sobolewski-Plantation Pressure-FL-2013-C-23.4
Erin Satterfield-AZ Roadrunners-AZ-2012-INF-23.2
Chelsea Benjamin-2010-INF-23
 

More rankings and scores to come, stay tuned!

By Garland Cooper

Below are the top testers from last weekend's Rising Stars Winter Showcase in the 20 yard shuttle:

20 YARD SHUTTLE
Carissa Throckmorton-Lady Orioles 18U Fisher-MD-2011-IF-4.50
McKenzie Woody-2010-OF-4.62
Lindsey Menezes-Miami Stingrays Black-FL-2012-P-4.63
Erika Polidori-Brantford Bobcats-Ont., Can.-2010-C-4.65
Jula Kastner-Vienna Stars 18 Gold-VA-2011-CF-4.65
Hailey Harris-Charlotte Cobras-NC-2010-P-4.66
Savanna Hennings-Birmingham Vipers Hays-AL-2010-P-4.69
Melanie Ruderman-Team Long Island Gold-NY-2010-OF-4.72
Stephanie Sobolewski-Plantation Pressure-FL-2013-C-4.72
Shannon Lauret-Lake County Freedom-IL-2011-OF-4.75
 

By Garland Cooper

	ESPN RISE
	Tahla Wade was the fastest sprinter who SPARQ Tested this weekend.

This past weekend ESPN RISE was out SPARQ Testing faspitch athletes at the Rising Stars Winter Showcase in Davie, Fla. 

 If you are unfamiliar with SPARQ Testing, the event will consist of four athletic tests:
•    20-yard sprint
•    Agility shuttle
•    Vertical jump
•    Rotational Powerball throw

All the scores from the four tests are then totaled resulting in an overall SPARQ Rating. This is a numerical value of the athleticism of a female softball athlete.

This rating is a useful tool that can help players recognize their strengths and weaknesses in order to train and better prepare themselves for competition at the highest level. These values also can be valuable in the recruiting process as many colleges perform similar tests and might find such information helpful and appealing.

After testing over 160 athletes we were able to compile the top testers in each category. Below are the top testers from the 20 Yard Sprint.

20 YARD SPRINT
Tahla Wade - Lake County Freedom - IL - 2011 - OF - 2.89
McKenzie Woody - 2010 - OF - 2.90
Taylor Thomas - Lady Orioles 18U - MD- 2009 - OF - 3.00
Christie Wright -  Stretchion Lady Stars - NC - 2009 - OF - 3.00
Emily Carosone - Hatters Gold - FL - 2012 - SS - 3.00
Brittany Sutton - CT Eliminators Red Donovan - CT - 2011 - P - 3.02
Katie Zavodny - Midland Magic Gold - NC - 2010 - OF - 3.03
Shannon Lauret - Lake County Freedom - IL - 2011 - OF - 3.04
Logan White - Brantford Bobcats - Ont., Can. - 2010 - IF - 3.04
Rhydian Glass - CT Eliminators Red Donovan - CT - 2012 - P - 3.04
 

 For further information go to: www.SPARQTraining.com/Fastpitch.

Keep checking in for more top SPARQ Testers!