LOUISVILLE, Ky. – The Gustavus Adolphus softball coaching staff has been named the National Fastpitch Softball Association’s (NFCA) Midwest Coaching Staff-of-the-Year. NFCA Regional Coaching Staffs-of-the-Year are selected by member head coaches in the eight NCAA regions.
Led by head coach Jeff Annis and assistant coaches Jodi Lunz, Kyhl Thomson and Mark Wiest, Gustavus went 34-16 overall and 16-6 in Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (MIAC) play. The Gusties won the MIAC championship for the first time in school history, dethroning five-time reigning champion University of St. Thomas in the playoff championship game. Gustavus then advanced to the NCAA Championships and won its opening round game against Central College, but fell to Aurora University and Central in the round robin format to conclude its season.
The team’s successful year was capped by Sarah Rozell (Sr., Lakeville, Minn.), Kailey Morgan (Sr., Mound, Minn.), Shelby Nosan (Sr., Baudette, Minn.), and Hannah Heacox (So., Stillwater, Minn.) being named to the All-Conference Team, while Rozell earned the MIAC’s Pitcher-of-the-Year award. Heacox, Nosan and Carly Klass (Sr., Richfield, Minn.) also earned a place on the NFCA’s Midwest All-Region Team.
During his nine-year tenure, Annis has compiled an overall mark of 299-122-1 and has a record of 178-39-1 in MIAC play.