Lady Blues announce signing class for 2001

July 19, 2001

Washburn Lady Blues head softball coach Kim Newbern has announced her 2001 recruiting class. The Lady Blues signed seven players who will take to the field for Washburn.

“I am thrilled about our recruits,” Newbern said. “We have a solid mix of players who will make an immediate impact and add depth and skill to our team.”

Ashley Perkins - (Pitcher, Shawnee, Kan. - Mill Valley High School) In high school,Perkins chalked up a 60-8 record and was named the Kansas City Star’s 2001 all-Metro Player of the Year leading Mill Valley to a second place state finish after falling to Topeka’s Hayden High School in the state tournament. She was a four-year all-conference selection and a two-year member of the Kansas City Star’s all-Metro first team, the Kansas City Star’s Freshman and Sophomore of the Year and a three-year all-state selection. As a junior, Perkins pitched eight shutouts, four no-hitters and two perfect games.
Perkins chose Washburn over Division I Auburn University in Alabama.
Against the Omaha Elite AAU summer team, Perkins struck out 19 batter in a seven inning game for her traveling summer squad.

Keri Tanner - (3rd base, Overland Park, Kan. - Olathe East High School) Tanner was a first team all-conference selection her senior season after leading the Hawks to a class 6A state championship, driving in a school record 29 RBI. She also lead the team in batting average (.406), hits (28), triples (five), home runs (three) and on-base percentage (.461). She tied for the team lead with seven doubles. She was a part of two state championship teams at Olathe East. She was an 1998 honorable mention all-Metro selection and a 1998 all-conference selection. She was named FastPitch World’s high school all-state all-American in 1998. In 1999, she was a second team all-metro choice and a first team all-state honoree.

Katie Gregg - (Pitcher, Overland Park, Kan. - Notre Dame de Sion) Gregg was a first team all-district selection and named to the Kansas City Star’s all-Metro team. She lead the Storm to a Class 3A state title when she finished the season 24-3 with a 0.35 ERA. She struck out 175 batters in 155 innings while walking only five. She was also a first team all-conference selection, all district and all-state selection while attending Raymore-Peculiar High School in Missouri.

Jaclyn Sells - (Utility player, Lee’s Summit, Mo. - Lee’s Summitt High School) At Lee’s Summit High, Sells was named the team’s defensive MVP during the 1999 and 2000 seasons. She was also an all-district selection for the 1998, 1999 and 2000 seasons. She was also a second team all-conference selection during the 1998 and 1999 seasons and an honorable mention choice in 2000.

Kristy McCluer - (3rd base, DH, catcher, Shawnee, Kan. - Mill Valley High School) McCluer hit .385 during the school year at Mill Valley High School and hit .350 for the Kansas City Heat during the summer. She was a Presidential Scholastic Award Winner and an Academic Letterwinner as well.

Jackie Horn - (Catcher, Basehor, Kan. - Basehor-Linwood High School) Horn recorded a .378 batting average and was a first team all league choice three times. She was also a four-year lettermen in basketball and a two-year lettermen in volleyball.

Crystal Wittlinger - (2nd base, Olathe, Kan. - Olathe North High School) Wittlinger was an all-conference selection at Olathe North in softball and basketball.She was flawless at second base going the entire season without an error for the Eagles. She was a first team all-Metro selection after her junior and senior seasons and an all-Olathe first team choice all four years.