2008 Woodie Awards
One of Webster's storied programs gets a makeover
With three new coaches, Gorloks anticipate success
By: Grant Bissell
Issue date: 3/9/06 Section: Sports
Webster University's women's softball team knows how to win. The program has an overall record of 263 wins and 90 losses. Webster's new head softball coach Brett Swip also knows the taste of victory. Swip has been an assistant coach at Washington University for the last five seasons. In 2005, his team finished with a record of 47-3.
Webster also welcomes Kris Hoff, assistant coach and Cindy Zelinsky, pitching coach.
Hoff was the head softball coach at Upper Iowa University for three years and the head coach at Webster's St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference rival Blackburn College for another three. She was a four-time All-Conference and All-Region player at Central Missouri State University and made a Final Four appearance in 1994.
Zelinsky was the head softball coach at Washington University for the last six years and led the team to four NCAA tournament appearances. She was a four-year letter winner at Wayne State College and was named All-Conference and All-District for NAIA. Zelinsky also played six seasons with the Omaha Merchants, a professional women's softball team.
Swip says he is enthusiastic about his new position as Webster's head coach.
"Webster softball has a long, successful tradition," Swip said. "Coming to a program that has such a passion for the game is exciting."
Webster's softball team is coming off a season where it finished 31-12 overall, but fell short of a SLIAC title and a trip to the NCAA Division III tournament.
Although the Gorloks will not field any seniors, there are three veteran juniors returning this spring. Their leadership will be crucial to guide the team through the long season.
Junior captains Kelli Dean and Jen McSheeehy will be staples in the infield. Dean started 34 games as a sophomore last season and will do the majority of the catching in 2006. McSheehy will shift her defensive focus to shortstop after recording 67 putouts and a .970 fielding percentage in 2005.
Webster also welcomes Kris Hoff, assistant coach and Cindy Zelinsky, pitching coach.
Hoff was the head softball coach at Upper Iowa University for three years and the head coach at Webster's St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference rival Blackburn College for another three. She was a four-time All-Conference and All-Region player at Central Missouri State University and made a Final Four appearance in 1994.
Zelinsky was the head softball coach at Washington University for the last six years and led the team to four NCAA tournament appearances. She was a four-year letter winner at Wayne State College and was named All-Conference and All-District for NAIA. Zelinsky also played six seasons with the Omaha Merchants, a professional women's softball team.
Swip says he is enthusiastic about his new position as Webster's head coach.
"Webster softball has a long, successful tradition," Swip said. "Coming to a program that has such a passion for the game is exciting."
Webster's softball team is coming off a season where it finished 31-12 overall, but fell short of a SLIAC title and a trip to the NCAA Division III tournament.
Although the Gorloks will not field any seniors, there are three veteran juniors returning this spring. Their leadership will be crucial to guide the team through the long season.
Junior captains Kelli Dean and Jen McSheeehy will be staples in the infield. Dean started 34 games as a sophomore last season and will do the majority of the catching in 2006. McSheehy will shift her defensive focus to shortstop after recording 67 putouts and a .970 fielding percentage in 2005.