March 2008 Archives
AMY THOMAS
Cal Baptist University
Softball
The lowdown: The senior pitcher has helped the Lancers (37-3) to a No. 2 national ranking. Is 20-2 with an 0.75 ERA and 122 strikeouts and 85 hits allowed in 141 innings. Played her first two seasons at Cal State Dominguez Hills, then transferred as a junior which allowed her to play with older sister Candice. Earned GSAC, regional and national pitcher of the years honors last year as a junior when she went 28-2 with an 0.56 ERA and 187 strikeouts in 188 innings. Carries a 3.4 GPA.
Age: 21
Hometown: Barstow
High school: Barstow High School, 2004
Major: Kinesiology
Favorite athlete: Jon Garland (He’s an amazing pitcher).
Favorite team: Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
Role model: My mom because she is so strong and accomplishes everything she sets her mind to.
Most memorable sports moment: Receiving NAIA Pitcher of the Year last year at nationals. It came as a pleasant surprise to me, one I will never forget.
Most embarrassing sports moment: Running off the field when there were only two outs in the inning.
Person most influential in your athletic success: My parents both played huge roles in my success. My dad may have been the one on the field but my mom was at home working hard and pushing me on academics.
Best advice anyone has ever given you: Real pitchers paint the black.
Pre-game ritual or superstition: I need to pitch with a fake nail on my right index finger. My teammates think it is all in my head but I know it helps.
Can’t miss TV show: One Tree Hill
Last good book you read: I Kissed Dating Goodbye by Joshua Harris. It gave me a whole different perspective on the Christian way of dating.
Favorite food: Italian (especially Olive Garden)
Favorite movie: The Notebook
Favorite vacation spot: Anywhere I can get a good deep tissue massage, and of course the beach just reading a good book.
Other hobbies: Yoga, pilates, volleyball, shopping and surfing.
What’s in your CD player/iPOD: Three Doors Down, Goo Goo Dolls, Josh Gracin, Kenny Chesney and Carrie Underwood.
What do you want to be doing in five years?: I would like to be a successful physical therapist helping others.
- Compiled by Michelle Gardner
AN ANTONIO, Texas — The celebration began just before the final event, the 400 free relay, got underway as both California Baptist teams received word that they had enough cushion to claim the fourth straight national title on the women’s side and the third consecutive on the men’s side.
The women finished with 729 total points while the men topped it off at 573.
Both Simon Fraser and SCAD teams finished second and third with SFU’s women scoring 585 while the men finished at 503. SCAD’s women totaled 540 points while the men scored 465.5.
The Lancer women had eight top-four finishes with a pair of national champions. Nicole Shipman and Katelyn Butler each will bring home a national title as Shipman notched a 2:04.67 in the 200 back while Katelyn Butler just missed a school record by one-tenth of a second in the 100 free (51.83).
Kimie Cook, Elena Zanone and Elaina Hunter went 2-4 in the 200 breast with times of 2:23.55, 2:24.55 and 2:26.94. Meredith Krom and Angie Rodriguez each finished fourth with Krom swimming a 2:10.70 in the 200 back and Rodriguez swimming a 2:10.16 in the 200 fly.
The 400 free relay team capped off the women’s events as Melissa Bowers, Stephanie Jung, Krista Chacon and Katelyn Butler combined for a fourth-place time of 3:34.38.
Vicente Andrade added his second national title to his collection with a 1:48.97 in the 200 back while fellow freshman Daniel Heihn placed third in the 200 fly (1:52.83).
Kent Klawer finished sixth in the 200 back (1:56.63). Matt Brown and Sean McPherson went 6-7 in the 100 free (46.76, 46.87) while Rickey Wilson and Barret Wilson went 6-7 in the 200 breast (2:14.04, 2:14.07).
The 400 free relay team closed out the 2008 national championships with a second-place finish as Andrade, Brian Jack, Brown and Sean McPherson combined for a 3:04.97.
Rick Rowland was named the Men's Coach of the Year while Ben Wahlman and Lindsey Cline were each named Diver of the Year.
