June 29, 2005

EVANSTON, Ill. -- The Northwestern coaching staff has been named the Mideast Region Co-Staff of the Year, the National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) announced today.

Head coach Kate Drohan, associate head coach Caryl Drohan, assistant Tori Nyberg and volunteer assistant Jaime Clark led the Wildcats to a 42-18 record and a NCAA Regional championship this season. NU's 42 wins were just one shy of the school record.

In addition to setting 16 individual single-season and career records in 2005, the Wildcats blasted 56 home runs -- 23 more than the program's previous single-season best.

The staff coached four 'Cats to first-team All-Big Ten honors and three All-America accolades -- both program best numbers. Sophomore Garland Cooper (Mission Viejo, Calif./Santa Margarita Catholic) became NU's second-ever first-team All-America selection, while Stephanie Churchwell (Lake Forest, Calif./El Toro) brought home NU's second-ever All-America honor for a freshman.

The Northwestern staff shares the honor with DePaul's staff.

Michigan's coaching staff was named the NFCA's Division I Staff of the Year after capturing the Big Ten's first-ever national championship in softball.

For the complete list of Staff of the Year honorees, link to the National Fastpitch Coaches Association.