Story by Tessa Burford, NPCC Knights SID
The North Platte Community College Knights Softball team recently signed six athletes. New to the Knights Softball program are Kirsten Greenwalt, Madisyn Hamar, Jayden Horner, Nevaeh Ramirez, Jordan Young and Ashlyn Wheeling.
NPCC Softball signs Kirsten Greenwalt; pictured are Greenwalt (seated at center, friends and family, and NPCC head coach Janelle Higgins (far right).
Greenwalt, of Eaglecrest High School in Centennial, Colo., formerly played softball for the American Freedom club and decided to become a Knight because she likes how much fun is had by the NPCC Softball Team and how hard they are expected to work.
NPCC Softball signs Madisyn Hamar; pictured are Hamar (seated at center, friends and family, and NPCC head coach Janelle Higgins (far right).
Hamar, of Chadron, attended Chadron High School and played for the Chadron Slammers. She is most looking forward to finding discipline as a player, while enjoying a good program. “It will be a fun experience to compete at the next level with a very experienced coaching staff,” said Hamar.
NPCC Softball signs Jayden Horner; pictured are Horner (seated at center, friends and family, and NPCC head coach Janelle Higgins (far right).
Horner attended Frederick High School in Longmont, Colo. and previously played softball for the Colorado Invasion 02 club. She looks forward to becoming a Knight, particularly enjoying the hometown atmosphere, as well as support from the community and opportunities to make new friends.
NPCC Softball signs Navaeh Ramirez; pictured are Ramirez (seated at center, friends and family, and NPCC head coach Janelle Higgins (far right).
Ramirez hails from Prairie View High School in Brighton, Colo. and gained club softball experience with the American Freedom – Bobby Matthews team. She is most excited about connecting with new teammates and coaching staff. “I’m looking forward to being coached by an all-female coaching staff because before I’ve been with male coaches, so it’ll be different,” said Ramirez.
NPCC Softball signs Ashlyn Wheeling; pictured are Wheeling (seated at center, friends and family, and NPCC head coach Janelle Higgins (far right).
Wheeling, of Mountain Range High School in Westminster, Colo., played club softball with the Colorado Invasion 18A – Belloni. “I decided to become a Knight for the new opportunities and the chance to play softball,” said Wheeling.
NPCC Softball signs Jordan Young; pictured are Young (seated at center, friends and family, and NPCC head coach Janelle Higgins (far right).
Young comes to the Knights from Roosevelt High School in Johnstown, Colo. and played club ball with the Sting 18 Meza. She chose NPCC, due to the small-town atmosphere, good coaching and the opportunity to become a better softball player.
NPCC head coach Janelle Higgins is looking forward to the opportunities this recruiting class will bring.
“I am excited for these young ladies to join our family; they have all been very involved and committed to our program for over a year. This group brings a lot of positive and fun energy with them, along with their academic and athletic abilities. They will definitely be a strong core for our 2020 athletes. Ashlyn and Jayden played summer ball for Shelby Belloni, a former standout athlete here, and it is always exciting when athletes follow in their coaches’ footsteps,” said Higgins.
More coverage of the NPCC Softball Team can be found on the NPCC Facebook page at facebook.com/MPCCNorthPlatte/. More information about Knights Athletics is available at npccknights.com/.