Softball Signs Three
November 26, 2002 | Softball
The Wisconsin softball program signed three student-athletes to national letters of intent during the November early signing period, according to coach Karen Gallagher. Stephanie Chinn, Tara Hamilton and Athena Vasquez will join the Badgers in fall 2003.
'I'm very happy with our 2003 signing class, ' coach Karen Gallagher said. 'These kids will not only make an immediate impact on our program with their ability and experience, but in their love of the game and how they play the game. Their enthusiasm says so much about these three young ladies we 're bringing in. I look forward to them being on campus and part of the Badger softball program.'
'They're all very good athletes that can do a lot for us,' Gallagher added. 'I like the versatility that they bring. '
Stephanie Chinn (San Ramon, Calif.) is a 2002 first-team all-league member at San Ramon Valley High School. She earned the Golden Glove award at the Livermore Stampede Tournament and was honored as the Best Outfielder at the Queen of the Mountain tournament. Chinn intends to major in sports medicine or child psychiatry.
'Chinn has great speed,' Gallagher said. '[We're] certainly looking for someone to step in and be a one or two hitter [in the lineup] for us. She's a true outfielder.'
Athena Vasquez (Costa Mesa, Calif.) is a three-time captain, two-time second-team all-league and 2002 first-team all-league shortstop at Newport Harbor High School. Vasquez currently plays with the California Rebels 18-U Gold team and won the 2002 18U AFA California state championship with the American Athletics. A three-sport athlete, Vasquez is also a three-time captain on the basketball squad and two-time captain and two-time LAFA Tournament MVP on the field hockey team. The three-time scholar athlete plans to major in a math/science field.
'Vasquez is going to add speed to our team,' Gallagher said. 'She's a hard worker. I think she'll come in and make a huge difference.'
Tara Hamilton (Lumberton, Texas) is a two-time first-team all-district shortstop at Lumberton High School. Hamilton currently plays for the Texas Eclipse 18-U Gold team. She has been a part of four class A state championships on various Oklahoma ASA and Texas AFA teams. Hamilton also participated in tennis, basketball and soccer in high school. On the soccer pitch, she was district goalie of the year. Hamilton intends to major in business.
'Her bat is really going to help us,' Gallagher said. 'She can do a lot of things for us'she's very athletic, [has a] great work ethic. She's going to come in and push a lot of players. '
'I think all these kids are potentially capable of being starters for us next year and that's what you certainly want when you bring in players,' Gallagher said. 'They all have excellent experience and can make a huge difference in our program next fall.'
