University of Minnesota Athletics
Golden Gopher Softball Announces 2004 Recruiting Class
12/12/2002 12:00:00 AM | Softball
Higginbotham, a native of Tallahassee, Fla., joins the Maroon and Gold as a right-handed power hitter with experience at catcher, shortstop and in the outfield. A two-time winner of Lawton Chiles High School softball team's top offensive award, Higginbotham is a five-sport prep athlete, lettering in softball, golf, volleyball, basketball and football. She is an all-conference honoree in both softball and golf. Higginbotham plans on pursuing an education major with a minor in coaching. Her ultimate goal is to coach at the collegiate level someday. She is ranked in the top half of her graduating class and holds a 3.29 GPA.
"We are excited to have a player of Megan's caliber join our team," Co-Head Coach Lisa Bernstein said. "Megan has a coaches' mind and thinks the game with strategy and precision. We are also excited to add her stick into the middle of our lineup."
Konderick comes to Gold Country from Peoria, Ariz., and Centennial High School where she was an all-region and all-state pitcher. A hard-throwing, right-handed pitcher, Konderick is also an outstanding hitter who has set high school records in RBIs, home runs and doubles. As a pitcher, she has set career records in wins, ERA and strikeouts. Konderick can also play first base. She has also gained national experience, playing summer ball for the Li'l Saints. Konderick was awarded the team's coaches' and hitting awards the past three years. She is ranked in the top 25 percent of her high school class and looks to create a major that includes business, fitness and/or nutrition.
"We are very excited about all that Rene can offer out ball club," Co-Head Coach Julie Standering said. "She is a versatile player who likes to be involved in every pitch. Rene is a leader and a total team player."
Kontz is a left-handed power hitter who can play any of the outfield positions. Hailing from Sioux Falls, S.D., Kontz is expected to add some power and depth to the Golden Gopher lineup next season with her aggressive hitting and hard work ethic. She hits in the middle of the lineup for both her high school and summer ball teams. Kontz ranks in the top half of her high school graduating class and is undecided on her major.
"Jessica is going to add some power and aggressive hitting to our team next year," Standering said. "She is a dedicated and determined athlete who works had both on and off the field. We are excited for her to join our team."
Mitchell joins the Minnesota softball program as a teammate of Konderick on the Li'l Saints summer ball squad. A native of Glendale, Ariz., Mitchell is a left-handed slapper with great speed and pinpoint precision at the plate. She is a three-time first team all-region selection at Moon Valley High School, and can play both third base and shortstop. Mitchell is both fast and aggressive, and has led her high school team in stolen bases the past three seasons. With the Li'l Saints, she has gone to Nationals the last four years and been awarded her team's Golden Glove award each season. Mitchell has a 4.0 GPA and ranks in the top four percent of her graduating class. She plans on majoring in mortuary science at the U.
"We are excited about signing a talented player like Tonya," Bernstein commented. "She is the complete package and someone who will fight her way into the starting lineup as a freshman. She has a great future ahead of her."
Meyer, a Bloomington, Minn., native, comes to Minnesota from Jefferson High School where she was a two-time all-conference and all-state selection. An aggressive right-handed hitter, Meyer has played both third base and shortstop during her high school career. She has the potential to be an excellent hitter at the college level and will work hard to develop her collegiate swing. A four-time participant in national tournaments, Meyer, was named captain and the best defensive player on Jefferson's team. Meyer is currently ranked in the top 10 percent of her class and is undecided on her major.
"We look for Katie to add a right-handed stick to our offense," Bernstein said. "She loves to hit and we are excited about her potential."
