University of Minnesota Athletics
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/ Softball
Two Additions Join Gophers as 2020 Season Begins
1/8/2020 12:25:00 PM | Softball
Head Coach Jamie Trachsel announced the addition of two student-athletes as the 2020 season begins.Â
Shyann Beddow and Ava Dueck are already on campus and with the team for the first practice of the new year.Â
Shyann Beddow | Utility | Kearns, Utah | Kearns High School
"The University of Minnesota has an amazing coaching staff and advisors that are interested in the athletes as people," Beddow said. "They truly want to build you up as a person and help you become a pro in something other than your sport."Â
Beddow graduated high school in December and will be 17 years old for her entire freshman season with the Gophers this year. She is a three-time All-Conference honoree and was named All-State in 2019. She helped lead her club team to  USA Preps National Championship. In the fall she also played baseball with her high school team.Â
"Shyann has the maturity and confidence to go after her dreams, with the work ethic and persistence to achieve them," Trachsel said. "Her desire and passion for the game is a perfect fit for our program. There is no doubt she will embrace all of the standards and expectations that come with challenging for excellence in the classroom and for championships on the field. We look for Shyann's mentality and versatility defensively to be the backbone and foundation of her success, as she challenges to be a well-balanced player with the potential of being a contributor on both sides of the ball and make an immediate impact in our program."Â
Ava Dueck | Right Handed Pitcher | Maple Grove, Minn. | Maple Grove High School
"I grew up in the Minneapolis metro area and I have loved watching Gopher athletics my whole life," Dueck said. "I love the atmosphere of the University of Minnesota and it has always been a dream of mine to wear the Maroon and Gold. I am really excited to compete on a big stage and grow and learn from some amazing coaches and teammate."Â
Dueck spent the fall at Augustana University (SD) before transferring to Minnesota. She will have four years of eligibility with the Gophers. She was a standout pitcher down the road for Maple Grove High School and led her team to a 2019 state championship. She was the 2019 Minnesota Gatorade Player of the Year with an ERA of 0.88 to go along with 221 strikeouts in the circle and a batting average of .507 with 16 home runs in the box.Â
"Ava is a well-rounded student athlete who excels in every area of her life," Trachsel said. "Her dedication and love for softball and Minnesota softball will continue to be her foundation as she continues her development as a pitcher who can also contribute offensively. She finished her high school career leading her team to a state championship. Ava is Maroon and Gold through and through. Her character, passion and pride are exactly what being a Minnesota Gopher is about."Â
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Shyann Beddow and Ava Dueck are already on campus and with the team for the first practice of the new year.Â
Shyann Beddow | Utility | Kearns, Utah | Kearns High School
"The University of Minnesota has an amazing coaching staff and advisors that are interested in the athletes as people," Beddow said. "They truly want to build you up as a person and help you become a pro in something other than your sport."Â
Beddow graduated high school in December and will be 17 years old for her entire freshman season with the Gophers this year. She is a three-time All-Conference honoree and was named All-State in 2019. She helped lead her club team to  USA Preps National Championship. In the fall she also played baseball with her high school team.Â
"Shyann has the maturity and confidence to go after her dreams, with the work ethic and persistence to achieve them," Trachsel said. "Her desire and passion for the game is a perfect fit for our program. There is no doubt she will embrace all of the standards and expectations that come with challenging for excellence in the classroom and for championships on the field. We look for Shyann's mentality and versatility defensively to be the backbone and foundation of her success, as she challenges to be a well-balanced player with the potential of being a contributor on both sides of the ball and make an immediate impact in our program."Â
Ava Dueck | Right Handed Pitcher | Maple Grove, Minn. | Maple Grove High School
"I grew up in the Minneapolis metro area and I have loved watching Gopher athletics my whole life," Dueck said. "I love the atmosphere of the University of Minnesota and it has always been a dream of mine to wear the Maroon and Gold. I am really excited to compete on a big stage and grow and learn from some amazing coaches and teammate."Â
Dueck spent the fall at Augustana University (SD) before transferring to Minnesota. She will have four years of eligibility with the Gophers. She was a standout pitcher down the road for Maple Grove High School and led her team to a 2019 state championship. She was the 2019 Minnesota Gatorade Player of the Year with an ERA of 0.88 to go along with 221 strikeouts in the circle and a batting average of .507 with 16 home runs in the box.Â
"Ava is a well-rounded student athlete who excels in every area of her life," Trachsel said. "Her dedication and love for softball and Minnesota softball will continue to be her foundation as she continues her development as a pitcher who can also contribute offensively. She finished her high school career leading her team to a state championship. Ava is Maroon and Gold through and through. Her character, passion and pride are exactly what being a Minnesota Gopher is about."Â
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