Northwestern University Athletics
Photo by: Stephen J. Carrera
Drohan Welcomes 7 Signees To Wildcats Softball Family
12/21/2018 11:45:00 AM | Softball
EVANSTON, Ill. – Head coach Kate Drohan on Thursday announced the Wildcats incoming Class of 2023, a group of seven that ranks as a consensus Top-25 recruiting class in the nation.
"Our incoming class of Wildcats has great versatility and will make an immediate impact on our program," said Drohan. "In addition to their outstanding skill sets on the field, they are ultra-competitive and have a deep love of Northwestern. This group is composed of young women who are extraordinary in the classroom and have already played in several championship games at the club and high school level. We can't wait to see them in purple."
The Wildcats are coming off a season in which they advanced to the championship games of both the Big Ten Tournament and the NCAA Athens Regional, and concluded the campaign ranked No. 24 in the final ESPN.com/USA Softball Top-25 poll. Northwestern featured one of the best offenses in program history, led by rookie Rachel Lewis. Lewis became the fifth Wildcat to be named an NFCA All-American in her debut season when she was elected to the second team, while four additional 'Cats earned All-Big Ten or All-Region recognition.
The incoming class that will arrive in the fall of 2019 is led by the nation's No. 10 player according to FloSoftball, pitcher Sydney Supple. The Oshkosh, Wisconsin, native was honored as the Gatorade Player of the Year in Wisconsin as both a sophomore and a junior. She will be joined in Evanston by Beverly Bandits teammate, catcher Ashley Schultz, the No. 41 recruit in the Class of 2019, a two-time All-Area selection for Oswego East High School.
The class also includes two-time IHSA All-State selection Angela Zedak, who ranks as the No. 34 recruit in the nation. The Chicago native was honored as a consensus Second Team All-American after a junior campaign where she led Marist High School to a second consecutive regional championship.
Makenna Nelson, sister of Wildcats senior Morgan, adds great versatility with the ability to play nearly every position on the field while Emilia Farnam brings a strong right-handed bat in the outfield. Both Grace Huff and Kendall Peterson, bring a championship mentality and have led their respective high schools downstate to the Illinois State Championships. Zedak, Farnam and Peterson all come from the heralded IL Chill club program.
Complete details on the Wildcats 2019 signing class are below, along with comments from Head Coach Kate Drohan.
Northwestern will open 2019 at the Titan Invitational hosted by Cal State Fullerton February 8-10.
Emelia Farnam – OF
Hits: R
Throws: R
Crystal Lake, Ill.
Prairie Ridge High School
COACH'S CORNER: "Emmie has really blossomed during her time in the IL Chill club program. She has developed into a savvy hitter who has power from the right side and great athleticism in the outfield."
BEFORE NORTHWESTERN: Prairie Ridge team captain and MVP … All-Fox Valley Conference selection … Northwest Herald First Team All-Area … Batted .440 and slugged .906 with eight home runs and 27 RBI as a junior … Helped lead the Wolves to a 2016 Fox Valley Conference Championship and regional title … Hit the game-tying and game-winning home runs to lead Prairie Ridge to the 2018 regional championship … Played club ball for four years with Illinois Chill Gold, led by Gerry Quinn along with classmates Angela Zedak and Kendall Peterson … Daughter of Lisa and Kurt Farnam … National Honor Society … German National Honor Society … Illinois State Scholar … 2018 AP Scholar … Secretary of the Medical Club … Anticipated majors are chemistry and math.
Grace Huff – OF
Hits: L
Throws: L
Palatine, Ill.
Palatine High School
COACH'S CORNER: "Grace is an explosive player who plays with great passion and energy. She will fit in very well with our system. Coach Nicole Pauly Capalbo (NUSB '10) has done a tremendous job preparing her for the next level."
BEFORE NORTHWESTERN: Three-time First Team All-Mid Suburban League selection … Three-time First Team All-Area honoree … Earned Second Team All-State recognition as a junior after Third Team laurels as a sophomore … Team captain helped lead the Pirates to the first state appearance in program history, two regional championships, one sectional title and a super sectional crown … Slugged .976 with 11 home runs, 66 RBI and 49 runs scored as a junior … Owns school records for batting average (.632), on-base percentage (.682), home runs in a season (11), RBIs in a season (66) … Competed for BATS Academy club, helping lead them to PGF National Premier berth and Wisconsin State Championship … Coached by Northwestern graduate Nicole Pauly Capalbo … Three-time Palatine H.S. All-Academic Team … 2018 Illinois State Scholar … National Honor Society Vice President … Daughter of Heidi and Ben Huff … Anticipated major is biomedical engineering.
Makenna Nelson – Utility
Hits: L
Throws: R
Scottsdale, Ariz.
Scottsdale Preparatory Academy
COACH'S CORNER: "Makenna comes from a great softball family. She is a smart, selfless player who understands the game and makes everyone around her better. Her versatility is a great strength in this class."
BEFORE NORTHWESTERN: Played two seasons of club ball for California Cruisers as her high school did not sponsor a varsity softball program … Also competed in one season of varsity soccer as a goalkeeper, and four years of track & field … Daughter of Kelly and Wayne Nelson … Older sister, Morgan, is an All-Big Ten outfielder for the Wildcats … Anticipated major is chemistry.
Kendall Peterson – IF/OF
Hits: R
Throws: R
Barrington, Ill.
Barrington High School
COACH'S CORNER: "Kendall's softball IQ and commitment to the game is outstanding. Olivia Duehr (NUSB '15) has been a tremendous mentor for Kendall at the club level as she continues to elevate her game.
BEFORE NORTHWESTERN: Ranked as a Top-200 national recruit in the FloSoftball Class of 2019 rankings … Two-time Mid Suburban League All-Conference, Daily Herald and Pioneer Press All-Area, and Illinois Coaches Association All-State selection … Recognized by the National Fastpitch Coaches Association as an All-North Region third baseman during her junior season … Totaled 105 hits, 24 doubles, 77 runs scored, 63 RBI and 36 stolen bases over her first three high school seasons … Led Barrington with a .430 average during junior campaign … Helped lead owns a three-year record of 98-16 with two M.S.L. conference championships, three regional titles, two sectional titles, and a third-place finish in the 2017 I.H.S.A. state finals … Played club ball for four years with Illinois Chill Gold, led by Gerry Quinn, along with classmates Angela Zedak and Emmie Farnam… Class of 2015 Wildcat Olivia Duehr served as a travel ball coach for Peterson during her prep career … National Honor Society … Honor roll member every semester of high school … Daughter of Jennifer and Perry Peterson … Father is the head softball coach at Barrington and a member of the Illinois Coaches Association Hall of Fame … Anticipated major is communication studies.
Ashley Schultz – C/3B/1B
Hits: R
Throws: R
Oswego, Ill.
Oswego East High School
COACH'S CORNER: "Ashley can change the complexion of a game with one swing of the bat. We're excited to work her into our system quickly. Ashley experience playing high level championship softball with the Beverly Bandits organization will help her make an immediate impact.
BEFORE NORTHWESTERN: Ranked as the No. 41 recruit in the Class of 2019 … 2018 Second Team All-State … Two-time All-Area selection … Two-time All-Southwest Prairie Conference honoree … Compiled a .497 average, 1.668 OPS, 26 home runs and 103 RBI over the first three seasons of her high school career … Owns Oswego East records for home runs in a season and career … Played three club seasons with the Beverly Bandits led by Bill Conroy, with whom she won the 2018 Demarini Invitational Championship and 2018 King of the Hill title … Daughter of Kim and Larry Schultz … Sister, Emily, plays softball at Stanford … High Honor Roll … National Arts Honor Society … National Science Honors Society … Anticipated major is engineering/architecture.
Sydney Supple – P/1B
Hits: L
Throws: L
Oshkosh, Wis.
Oshkosh North High School
COACH'S CORNER: "Syd is an absolute gamer. Her skill set can dominate the game from the first pitch to the last. She is a great teammate who will have a tremendous impact on all sides of the ball."
BEFORE NORTHWESTERN: Ranked as the No. 10 recruit in the Class of 2019 … Two-time Wisconsin Gatorade Player of the Year (2017, 2018) … 2018 Wisconsin High School Sports Award Player of the Year … Three-time First Team All-State honoree … Three-time Fox Valley Association Player of the Year … Three-time FVA First Team All-Conference … Two-time MaxPreps All-American … 2018 USA Today All-USA Team … Three-time Oshkosh North MVP … Two-time team captain … Helped lead the Spartans to their first state tournament appearance in 38 years in 2016, and returned in 2017 … Helped guide Oshkosh North to its first-ever FVA Conference title in 2017 with a perfect 18-0 record, and repeated in 2018 … Went 25-2 in the circle as a junior, including nine shutouts and two no-hitters, with 238 strikeouts in 166.1 innings … Compiled a 60-7 record over her first three years of high school competition, with 26 shutouts, four no-hitters and one perfect game … Owns school records for wins in a season (25) and career (60), strikeouts in a season (260) and career (674) and career home runs (17) … Invited to the 2019 USA Junior Women's National Team Selection tryout … Played six seasons of club ball for the Beverly Bandits, led by Bill Conroy, with whom she captured the 2016 U16 PGF National Championship and 2016 & 2018 PGF Shootout Championships … Catalyzed by her Gatorade Player of the Year grant, has led fundraising for a new softball complex in her hometown … Daugher of Heidi and Jay Supple … Anticipated major is broadcast journalism.
Angela Zedak – 3B/2B/P
Hits: R
Throws: R
Chicago, Ill.
Marist High School
COACH'S CORNER: "We have known Angela for years and she is the ultimate Northwestern student-athlete. Her drive and toughness will make an immediate impact on our team."
BEFORE NORTHWESTERN: Ranked as the No. 34 recruit in the Class of 2019 … Four-time inclusion on FloSoftball's Hot100 for 2019 … Two-time IHSA First Team All-State selection after earning Third Team honors as a freshman … Selected as a consensus 2018 Second Team All-American … 2017 East Suburban Catholic Conference (ESCC) Player of the Year … Two-time Daily Southtown All-Area selection ... Three-time ESCC All-Conference honoree … Four-year varsity starter helped lead the Redhawks to back-to-back regional championships in 2017 and 2018 … 2018 Team MVP … Went 37-8 in 46 starts in the circle over three years, with 225 strikeouts and five saves in as many opportunities … Batted .533 and slugged 1.171 as a junior, with 18 home runs and 60 RBI … Her 18 home runs ranked second in Illinois during the 2018 campaign … Totaled 37 home runs, 35 doubles, 5 triples, 155 RBI and 122 runs scored over the first three years of her varsity career … Competed for Illinois Chill Gold club, led by Gerry Quinn, winning 2018 PGF Battle of the Borders and 2015 PGF Labor Day Showcase … Club teammate of classmates Emmie Farnam and Kendall Peterson … Four-year Dean's List recipient … Illinois State Scholar … Daughter of Florence and James Zedak … Anticipated major is biology.
"Our incoming class of Wildcats has great versatility and will make an immediate impact on our program," said Drohan. "In addition to their outstanding skill sets on the field, they are ultra-competitive and have a deep love of Northwestern. This group is composed of young women who are extraordinary in the classroom and have already played in several championship games at the club and high school level. We can't wait to see them in purple."
The Wildcats are coming off a season in which they advanced to the championship games of both the Big Ten Tournament and the NCAA Athens Regional, and concluded the campaign ranked No. 24 in the final ESPN.com/USA Softball Top-25 poll. Northwestern featured one of the best offenses in program history, led by rookie Rachel Lewis. Lewis became the fifth Wildcat to be named an NFCA All-American in her debut season when she was elected to the second team, while four additional 'Cats earned All-Big Ten or All-Region recognition.
The incoming class that will arrive in the fall of 2019 is led by the nation's No. 10 player according to FloSoftball, pitcher Sydney Supple. The Oshkosh, Wisconsin, native was honored as the Gatorade Player of the Year in Wisconsin as both a sophomore and a junior. She will be joined in Evanston by Beverly Bandits teammate, catcher Ashley Schultz, the No. 41 recruit in the Class of 2019, a two-time All-Area selection for Oswego East High School.
The class also includes two-time IHSA All-State selection Angela Zedak, who ranks as the No. 34 recruit in the nation. The Chicago native was honored as a consensus Second Team All-American after a junior campaign where she led Marist High School to a second consecutive regional championship.
Makenna Nelson, sister of Wildcats senior Morgan, adds great versatility with the ability to play nearly every position on the field while Emilia Farnam brings a strong right-handed bat in the outfield. Both Grace Huff and Kendall Peterson, bring a championship mentality and have led their respective high schools downstate to the Illinois State Championships. Zedak, Farnam and Peterson all come from the heralded IL Chill club program.
Complete details on the Wildcats 2019 signing class are below, along with comments from Head Coach Kate Drohan.
Northwestern will open 2019 at the Titan Invitational hosted by Cal State Fullerton February 8-10.
Emelia Farnam – OF
Hits: R
Throws: R
Crystal Lake, Ill.
Prairie Ridge High School
COACH'S CORNER: "Emmie has really blossomed during her time in the IL Chill club program. She has developed into a savvy hitter who has power from the right side and great athleticism in the outfield."
BEFORE NORTHWESTERN: Prairie Ridge team captain and MVP … All-Fox Valley Conference selection … Northwest Herald First Team All-Area … Batted .440 and slugged .906 with eight home runs and 27 RBI as a junior … Helped lead the Wolves to a 2016 Fox Valley Conference Championship and regional title … Hit the game-tying and game-winning home runs to lead Prairie Ridge to the 2018 regional championship … Played club ball for four years with Illinois Chill Gold, led by Gerry Quinn along with classmates Angela Zedak and Kendall Peterson … Daughter of Lisa and Kurt Farnam … National Honor Society … German National Honor Society … Illinois State Scholar … 2018 AP Scholar … Secretary of the Medical Club … Anticipated majors are chemistry and math.
Grace Huff – OF
Hits: L
Throws: L
Palatine, Ill.
Palatine High School
COACH'S CORNER: "Grace is an explosive player who plays with great passion and energy. She will fit in very well with our system. Coach Nicole Pauly Capalbo (NUSB '10) has done a tremendous job preparing her for the next level."
BEFORE NORTHWESTERN: Three-time First Team All-Mid Suburban League selection … Three-time First Team All-Area honoree … Earned Second Team All-State recognition as a junior after Third Team laurels as a sophomore … Team captain helped lead the Pirates to the first state appearance in program history, two regional championships, one sectional title and a super sectional crown … Slugged .976 with 11 home runs, 66 RBI and 49 runs scored as a junior … Owns school records for batting average (.632), on-base percentage (.682), home runs in a season (11), RBIs in a season (66) … Competed for BATS Academy club, helping lead them to PGF National Premier berth and Wisconsin State Championship … Coached by Northwestern graduate Nicole Pauly Capalbo … Three-time Palatine H.S. All-Academic Team … 2018 Illinois State Scholar … National Honor Society Vice President … Daughter of Heidi and Ben Huff … Anticipated major is biomedical engineering.
Makenna Nelson – Utility
Hits: L
Throws: R
Scottsdale, Ariz.
Scottsdale Preparatory Academy
COACH'S CORNER: "Makenna comes from a great softball family. She is a smart, selfless player who understands the game and makes everyone around her better. Her versatility is a great strength in this class."
BEFORE NORTHWESTERN: Played two seasons of club ball for California Cruisers as her high school did not sponsor a varsity softball program … Also competed in one season of varsity soccer as a goalkeeper, and four years of track & field … Daughter of Kelly and Wayne Nelson … Older sister, Morgan, is an All-Big Ten outfielder for the Wildcats … Anticipated major is chemistry.
Kendall Peterson – IF/OF
Hits: R
Throws: R
Barrington, Ill.
Barrington High School
COACH'S CORNER: "Kendall's softball IQ and commitment to the game is outstanding. Olivia Duehr (NUSB '15) has been a tremendous mentor for Kendall at the club level as she continues to elevate her game.
BEFORE NORTHWESTERN: Ranked as a Top-200 national recruit in the FloSoftball Class of 2019 rankings … Two-time Mid Suburban League All-Conference, Daily Herald and Pioneer Press All-Area, and Illinois Coaches Association All-State selection … Recognized by the National Fastpitch Coaches Association as an All-North Region third baseman during her junior season … Totaled 105 hits, 24 doubles, 77 runs scored, 63 RBI and 36 stolen bases over her first three high school seasons … Led Barrington with a .430 average during junior campaign … Helped lead owns a three-year record of 98-16 with two M.S.L. conference championships, three regional titles, two sectional titles, and a third-place finish in the 2017 I.H.S.A. state finals … Played club ball for four years with Illinois Chill Gold, led by Gerry Quinn, along with classmates Angela Zedak and Emmie Farnam… Class of 2015 Wildcat Olivia Duehr served as a travel ball coach for Peterson during her prep career … National Honor Society … Honor roll member every semester of high school … Daughter of Jennifer and Perry Peterson … Father is the head softball coach at Barrington and a member of the Illinois Coaches Association Hall of Fame … Anticipated major is communication studies.
Ashley Schultz – C/3B/1B
Hits: R
Throws: R
Oswego, Ill.
Oswego East High School
COACH'S CORNER: "Ashley can change the complexion of a game with one swing of the bat. We're excited to work her into our system quickly. Ashley experience playing high level championship softball with the Beverly Bandits organization will help her make an immediate impact.
BEFORE NORTHWESTERN: Ranked as the No. 41 recruit in the Class of 2019 … 2018 Second Team All-State … Two-time All-Area selection … Two-time All-Southwest Prairie Conference honoree … Compiled a .497 average, 1.668 OPS, 26 home runs and 103 RBI over the first three seasons of her high school career … Owns Oswego East records for home runs in a season and career … Played three club seasons with the Beverly Bandits led by Bill Conroy, with whom she won the 2018 Demarini Invitational Championship and 2018 King of the Hill title … Daughter of Kim and Larry Schultz … Sister, Emily, plays softball at Stanford … High Honor Roll … National Arts Honor Society … National Science Honors Society … Anticipated major is engineering/architecture.
Sydney Supple – P/1B
Hits: L
Throws: L
Oshkosh, Wis.
Oshkosh North High School
COACH'S CORNER: "Syd is an absolute gamer. Her skill set can dominate the game from the first pitch to the last. She is a great teammate who will have a tremendous impact on all sides of the ball."
BEFORE NORTHWESTERN: Ranked as the No. 10 recruit in the Class of 2019 … Two-time Wisconsin Gatorade Player of the Year (2017, 2018) … 2018 Wisconsin High School Sports Award Player of the Year … Three-time First Team All-State honoree … Three-time Fox Valley Association Player of the Year … Three-time FVA First Team All-Conference … Two-time MaxPreps All-American … 2018 USA Today All-USA Team … Three-time Oshkosh North MVP … Two-time team captain … Helped lead the Spartans to their first state tournament appearance in 38 years in 2016, and returned in 2017 … Helped guide Oshkosh North to its first-ever FVA Conference title in 2017 with a perfect 18-0 record, and repeated in 2018 … Went 25-2 in the circle as a junior, including nine shutouts and two no-hitters, with 238 strikeouts in 166.1 innings … Compiled a 60-7 record over her first three years of high school competition, with 26 shutouts, four no-hitters and one perfect game … Owns school records for wins in a season (25) and career (60), strikeouts in a season (260) and career (674) and career home runs (17) … Invited to the 2019 USA Junior Women's National Team Selection tryout … Played six seasons of club ball for the Beverly Bandits, led by Bill Conroy, with whom she captured the 2016 U16 PGF National Championship and 2016 & 2018 PGF Shootout Championships … Catalyzed by her Gatorade Player of the Year grant, has led fundraising for a new softball complex in her hometown … Daugher of Heidi and Jay Supple … Anticipated major is broadcast journalism.
Angela Zedak – 3B/2B/P
Hits: R
Throws: R
Chicago, Ill.
Marist High School
COACH'S CORNER: "We have known Angela for years and she is the ultimate Northwestern student-athlete. Her drive and toughness will make an immediate impact on our team."
BEFORE NORTHWESTERN: Ranked as the No. 34 recruit in the Class of 2019 … Four-time inclusion on FloSoftball's Hot100 for 2019 … Two-time IHSA First Team All-State selection after earning Third Team honors as a freshman … Selected as a consensus 2018 Second Team All-American … 2017 East Suburban Catholic Conference (ESCC) Player of the Year … Two-time Daily Southtown All-Area selection ... Three-time ESCC All-Conference honoree … Four-year varsity starter helped lead the Redhawks to back-to-back regional championships in 2017 and 2018 … 2018 Team MVP … Went 37-8 in 46 starts in the circle over three years, with 225 strikeouts and five saves in as many opportunities … Batted .533 and slugged 1.171 as a junior, with 18 home runs and 60 RBI … Her 18 home runs ranked second in Illinois during the 2018 campaign … Totaled 37 home runs, 35 doubles, 5 triples, 155 RBI and 122 runs scored over the first three years of her varsity career … Competed for Illinois Chill Gold club, led by Gerry Quinn, winning 2018 PGF Battle of the Borders and 2015 PGF Labor Day Showcase … Club teammate of classmates Emmie Farnam and Kendall Peterson … Four-year Dean's List recipient … Illinois State Scholar … Daughter of Florence and James Zedak … Anticipated major is biology.
Players Mentioned
IF/OF
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