Nov. 23, 2004
University of Notre Dame head softball coach Deanna Gumpf has announced the signing of seven student-athletes to national letters of intent last week, landing one of the top recruiting classes in the nation.
Brittney Bargar (Corona, Calif.), Christine Farrell (La Habra, Calif.), Erin Glasco (Johnston City, Ill.), Linda Kohan (Westminster, Calif.), Alexandra Kotcheff (Beverly Hills, Calif.), Stephanie Mola (Naples, Fla.) and Beth Northway (Kentwood, Mich.) will make up the class of 2009.
“This is one of the best recruiting classes I have seen in my career and I feel it is the best in the country,” Gumpf says of the group.
“The quality and diversity of this class is second to none. The entire staff is excited to have this group of players join the Notre Dame family.”
The class hails from across the country with four California natives, plus players from Michigan, Illinois and Florida. The group also is made up of two pitchers (Bargar, Farrell), a catcher (Glasco), an infielder (Kohan), two outfielders (Kotcheff, Mola) and an infielder/outfielder (Northway) – giving the class excellent balance at all positions.
The freshman class of 2005-06:
Brittney Bargar, 5-9, RHP, Corona, CA, Corona High School
Christine Farrell, 5-8, RHP, La Habra, CA, Sorona High School
Erin Glasco, 5-7, C, Johnston City, IL, Johnston City High School
Linda Kohan, 5-6, INF, Westminster, CA, Westminster High School
Alexandra Kotcheff, 5-8, OF, Beverly Hills, CA, The Marlborough School
Stephanie Mola, 5-5, OF, Naples, FL, St. John Neumann High School
Beth Northway, 5-7, INF/OF, Kentwood, MI, East Kentwood High School
Here is a closer look at each member of the class:
Brittney Bargar, 5-9, RHP, Corona, CA, Corona High School
A perennial all-league first-team performer for Corona High School and also played for the Southern California Worth Firecrackers … has earned all-Mountain View League, all-CIF and all-Riverside county honors the last three seasons entering her senior year … boasts a career high school ERA of 0.03 … earned scholar-athlete honors each high school academic year … helped the Firecrackers finish in the top five at the ASA nationals three years in a row … named Cal-Hi Sports.com first-team all-state.
Gumpf on Bargar: “Brittney knows how to win and can really bring it from the pitching circle. She throws very hard and is a great competitor. Brittney and Christine (Farrell) will compliment each other very well when they join our pitching staff.”
Bargar in her own words: “I am proud to be part of the Fighting Irish.”
Christine Farrell, 5-8, RHP, La Habra, CA, Sonora High School
Standout pitcher is a two-time Freeway League MVP selection and three-time first-team all-league honoree … hold the Sonora career records for ERA, strikeouts and wins … batted .353 in ’04 and pitched all 226 innings for Sonora, compiling a 22-8 overall record, 0.25 ERA and 319 strikeouts (9.8 per seven innings) … has led Sonora to three consecutive Freeway League Championships … named to a number of different all-star teams, including Orange County all-regional team, Cal-Hi Sports.com medium schools all-state team, first team all-CIF in ’03 and ’04, and appeared in the semifinals of the CIF championships in ’04 … played for the Southern California Athletics ASA 18 Gold Team … earned Sonora academic achievement award in three years running and boasts a 4.4 cumulative GPA … from the same high school as current senior Carrie Wisen.
Gumpf on Farrell: “Christine is a fun pitcher to watch because she can baffle hitters with a number of different pitches. You never know what she is going to throw. I also believe that she has the best changeup in the nation for any pitcher graduating in 2005.”
Farrell in her own words: “Notre Dame is the perfect place for me, both academically and athletically.”
Erin Glasco, 5-7, C, Johnston City, IL, Johnston City High School
Lefty hitter led her ASA team, Illinois Southern Force, to the 2004 ASA Gold National Championship … Southern Force became the first Illinois team, and just the second from east of the Mississippi River, to claim that honor … Southern Force also won the 2003 Canada Cup Futures Tournament in Surrey, British Columbia … boasts a career batting average of .408 (Johnston High School record) … batted .453 in ’04 with 22 RBI, 12 doubles, four triples and two home runs while leading Johnston City to a 31-6 record … threw out 16 baserunners and allowed just three stolen bases … three-time Illinois all-state selection … Black Diamond all-conference pick each year of high school play and was named the conference MVP in ’04 … sister, Tara, played softball at Southern Illinois in 2001-02 … plans to become a pharmacist.
Gumpf on Glasco: “Erin is a feisty competitor who hates to lose and that shows when she plays the game. I am excited to see her develop into a great catcher.”
Glasco in her own words: “I am so excited and relieved to finally make my decision official and I can’t wait until next fall. Go Irish!”
Linda Kohan, 5-6, INF, Westminster, CA, Westminster High School
Two-time Orange County batting champion with a .625 average in ’03 and .654 average in ’04 … a three-time first team all-Goldenwest League selection and league MVP in ’03 and ’04 … earned first team all-CIF honors (Division III) in ’03 and ’04 … Los Angeles Times all-region softball selection in ’04 … a two-sport standout who also earned all-league and team MVP honors in volleyball … Westminster High School Athlete of the Year in 2004 … also earned the softball team’s Most Inspiration and Lion Heart awards during her career … played for Gordon’s Panthers ASA Gold team … standout in the classroom as well, earning school merit awards for foreign language and MERITS.
Gumpf on Kohan: “Linda is a Notre Dame kid, a quality person and a tough ballplayer who will do whatever it takes to win. I believe that she is one of the most versatile and athletic players in the nation.”
Kohan in her own words: “After my first day on campus on my visit to Notre Dame, I knew that I was perfect for Notre Dame and Notre Dame was perfect for me.”
Alexandra Kotcheff, 5-8, OF, Beverly Hills, CA, The Marlborough School
Kotcheff is the leadoff hitter for the California Lite 18 Gold team … extremely fast, boasts a time of 2.65 from home plate to first base … also played for The Marlborough School in `03, finishing second in the Sunshine League in batting average (.548) with nine RBI and three triples (11 games played) … had at least one hit in nine of 11 games played for Marlborough … also had 16 stolen bases … helped the Cal Lite Gold to the `A” Champions Cup, making the finals after Kotcheff scored the game-winning RBI and threw out the tying run at the plate … also participates in track and field, basketball, flag football and swimming at Marlborough.
Gumpf on Kotcheff: “Alexandra is a triple threat player and extremely fast. She is the kind of player you like to watch hit because she can do so many different things and finds a way to get on base.”
Kotcheff was out of the country and unavailable for comment at the time of this release.
Stephanie Mola, 5-5, OF, Naples, FL, St. John Neumann High School
Four-year starter for St. John Neumann who led the team to the district championship game and earned first-team all-country honors in 2004 … named the team MVP and earned second-team all-state honors … hit .462 with 24 runs scored in ’04 … boasts 42 career stolen bases … served as team captain her junior season … played for the Tampa Mustangs ASA team in ’03 and `04 … bats and throws lefthanded … highly active in extra curricular activities and boasts a 4.0 GPA … also has competed in golf and basketball in high school.
Gumpf on Mola: “Stephanie has been motivated to be a part of this program since she was 11 years old and she did everything it takes to make that a reality. She will make the team better because of her ability, intensity, desire and attitude.”
Mola in her own words: “I’ve waited my whole life for this moment and I am anxiously waiting to join the Notre Dame family. As I sit on cloud nine, I can only think about this great opportunity and how my dream has finally come true with the aid of my family, friends and coaches.”
Beth Northway, 5-7, INF/OF, Kentwood, MI, East Kentwood High School
An all-state and all-region performer during the 2004 season … boasts high school career statistics of .416 batting average, .469 on-base percentage and .556 slugging percentage … helped East Kentwood to the Class A semifinals in ’04, losing to the eventual state champions 1-0 in extra innings … played for ASA team Finesse out of Detroit, Mich. … has earned all-district honors during her three years of high school competition.
Gumpf on Northway: “Beth is a gutsy ball player who plays the game hard. She is a very driven athlete and you can just see how tough she is by the way she plays he game on the field.”
Northway in her own words: “I am extremely excited to have the opportunity to play the sport that I love for four more years at Notre Dame.”