|
Softball
Panthers Sign Two Iowa Prospects
Nov. 12, 2008
CEDAR FALLS, Iowa -- The University of Northern Iowa softball team has signed two Iowa high school catchers to National Letters-of-Intent for the 2009-2010 season, head coach Ryan Jacobs announced Wednesday. The Panthers received commitments from catchers Samantha Reimer (Dubuque, Iowa) and Karla Quandt (Carroll, Iowa).
"The 2009 class will only be a fraction of the size of the recruiting class from last year," Coach Jacobs said. "But, we feel it will impact our program in much the same way. Sam and Karla together bring the intensity, work ethic, and personality equal to six players. We feel that we have two of the best 2009 softball players from the state of Iowa. Neither player has even come close to their potential. We feel that the way they fit with our program and how their attitude fits into the direction we are headed they will make huge strides. I also want to recognize the tremendous job our entire staff has done recruiting this year. Especially the efforts of Coach Julie Gerdes, it couldn't happen this way without her dedication and work ethic."
Samantha Reimer Reimer, a four-year letterwinner for Dubuque Wahlert High School, earned Class 3A second-team all-state honors during her junior and sophomore seasons. She was named third-team all-state as a freshman and has earned all-district honors three times. During her high school career, she holds a .497 career batting average and has drove in 94 runs and blasted seven home runs for the Golden Eagles. She is also a member of the National Honor Society along with earning two varsity letters in track and field.
"Samantha has wanted to be a Panther since she watched her Aunt Kelley play basketball for UNI," Jacobs said. "When she has a goal in mind and sets out to accomplish it there is only one thing that happens, she gets it. Being such a tremendous athlete in high school, Sam has slowly funneled her athleticism to softball. She is a very strong hitter, and has done it through hard work. She knows how her swing works and this will make it easier for her to make the jump to college softball. She is a tremendous teammate and will bring a new level of leadership to the Panther softball program."
Karla Quandt Quandt, a four-year letterwinner at Carroll High School, was named Class 3A first-team all-state last year after boasting a .428 batting average and driving in 28 runs as a junior. Quandt earned third-team all-state as a sophomore and honorable mention all-state honors as a freshman. She has also earned first-team all-district honors four times and first-team all-conference honors twice. Along with being a standout on the diamond, Quandt has earned varsity letters in basketball and track for the Tigers.
"Karla is one tough cookie," Jacobs said. "Afraid of nothing and respect for everything. I think that is a great way to put it about Karla. A few words that describe her are: strong, explosive, tough, consistent, personality, and a smile that lights up the room. I have yet to have a softball player be able to lift more weight than me in the weight room. I think I have met my match with Karla."
|
 |
|||||||||
|
||||||||||
