Free State High senior Jamie Stanclift was impressed with Julie Wright's coaching last winter during Kansas University's softball clinics, so much so that Stanclift has decided to follow the former KU assistant coach to Akron.
Free State senior Jamie Stanclift, left, gets a hug and a card from junior Mindy Mihalchik. Stanclift officially announced Monday at the FSHS library that she had signed a letter of intent to play softball at Akron.
"She helped me a lot with my hitting," said Stanclift, who had a .345 average for FSHS last spring. "I knew I needed to work on that, and I really learned a lot."
Wright was a four-year starter at the University of Ohio in 1990-94 and spent the 1996-99 seasons as an assistant at her alma mater. She was an assistant at Kansas for five years before returning to her home state this summer.
She took over an Akron program that finished 26-25 last season and failed to advance to the Mid-American Conference tournament for the second consecutive year.
"I know she'll bring them to the top of the conference," said Stanclift, who signed her letter of intent Wednesday but waited until Monday to make an official announcement so her family could attend the ceremony. "I wouldn't be going there if I didn't feel confident in her."
Stanclift, who has earned All-Sunflower League honors in softball, volleyball and basketball, had plenty of choices.
"I decided two years ago that softball was what I was going to do in college," said Stanclift, the daughter of former KU coach Bob Stanclift and FSHS coach Pam Pine. "It was my favorite sport and my best sport."
6Sports video: Firebird senior to play for AkronStanclift also visited Wichita State and Emporia State before making her decision.
"It takes a lot of stress out," said Stanclift, who had 42 putouts and a .905 fielding percentage for Free State as a junior third baseman. "I've been dealing with the recruiting process since this time last year. It takes up a lot of time keeping up with all the recruiting contacts. I'm glad it's over and excited to be going there."
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