2008 Woodie Awards
Softball signs player, adds coach
Tony Patrico
Issue date: 7/18/07 Section: Sports
The sole NCAA Division II National Champions for SIUE, the softball team, has made an addition to their coaching staff. Kelly Rhyne, formerly a member of the Angelo State University coaching staff, joins the Cougars in their final game of D-II competition.
Rhyne will take the vacant position left by former assistant coach Valerie McCoy, who stepped down to pursue different opportunities.
"Kelly is an outstanding individual who we expect will help this program right away as well in the future," SIUE Head Coach Sandy Montgomery said. "Her coaching and playing experience will add a layer of strength to the Cougar softball program."
Rhyne's previous coaching job at Angelo State helped the team head to the D-II National Championships as she completed getting her master's degree in kinesiology. While earning her degree, she worked as a graduate assistant.
Rhyne played softball for three years at Texas Tech and played her freshman year at New Mexico State. While at Texas Tech, she had 153 hits, 15 home runs, 84 RBI's and 30 doubles, all which currently rank her in the top five of each class. During her three years as a Red Raider, she held a batting average of .308.
Another new addition to the Cougars softball team is Iowa standout Kasey Schlafke. The four-sport athlete from Dallas Center, Iowa, signed a national letter of intent to take the field for the Cougars in the 2008-09 season.
Schflake will most likely play shortstop for the Cougars, where she has been a first and second team All-State performer for the past four seasons. She has held a batting average of over .375 and also earned All-Conference honors in other sports she has participated in.
"I think Kasey is a great indicator of our NCAA Division I recruiting future success," Montgomery said. "She is a very athletic, quick and high-energy person."
The Cougars will finish the 2008 season in NCAA Division II status and begin their Division-I competition in 2009.
Rhyne will take the vacant position left by former assistant coach Valerie McCoy, who stepped down to pursue different opportunities.
"Kelly is an outstanding individual who we expect will help this program right away as well in the future," SIUE Head Coach Sandy Montgomery said. "Her coaching and playing experience will add a layer of strength to the Cougar softball program."
Rhyne's previous coaching job at Angelo State helped the team head to the D-II National Championships as she completed getting her master's degree in kinesiology. While earning her degree, she worked as a graduate assistant.
Rhyne played softball for three years at Texas Tech and played her freshman year at New Mexico State. While at Texas Tech, she had 153 hits, 15 home runs, 84 RBI's and 30 doubles, all which currently rank her in the top five of each class. During her three years as a Red Raider, she held a batting average of .308.
Another new addition to the Cougars softball team is Iowa standout Kasey Schlafke. The four-sport athlete from Dallas Center, Iowa, signed a national letter of intent to take the field for the Cougars in the 2008-09 season.
Schflake will most likely play shortstop for the Cougars, where she has been a first and second team All-State performer for the past four seasons. She has held a batting average of over .375 and also earned All-Conference honors in other sports she has participated in.
"I think Kasey is a great indicator of our NCAA Division I recruiting future success," Montgomery said. "She is a very athletic, quick and high-energy person."
The Cougars will finish the 2008 season in NCAA Division II status and begin their Division-I competition in 2009.
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