The Mount Vernon Nazarene College women's fastpitch softball team has landed its first recruit for the 2002 season.
Brittany Stroop, a catcher from Pottstown, Pennsylvania, has signed a letter of intent to attend MVNC and play for the Lady Cougars. The Pottsgrove High School standout committed just three errors behind the plate as a junior in posting a .982 fielding percentage. She also gunned down 12 of the 24 runners trying to steal on her. She earned Honorable Mention in the Pioneer Athletic Conference in 1999, and was named to the All-Academic Team in 2000.
In addition, Stroop was the starting catcher on the Pine Forge Panthers 18-and-over team that won two Class "C" state titles in 1999 and 2000. She also participated in the 2000 National Tournament.
"We are excited to have Brittany joining our program next year," said head coach Jeana Howald. "She has a lot of potential in a key area (at catcher), and she is also versatile enough to play some other positions as well. She will be a good fit here because she is a quality person and a good student."
Besides playing softball, Stroop has been involved in National Honor Society, Student Government, Science Club, Varsity Club, Marching Band, Concert Band, Jazz Band, Orchestra, Peer Mediation, Math League, and Latin Club.
"There are several reasons why I have chosen to attend MVNC," said Stroop of her college choice. "I wanted to attend a Christian college, and MVNC also has a good Pre-Med department. I was particularly impressed with the softball program as well. Overall, I was impressed with the campus and staff, and I thought that I would fit in with the campus community."
The Lady Cougars posted a 17-19 overall record in 2000. There are 12 returning players on this year's squad including six seniors. MVNC will begin play on March 17 in Kissimmee, Florida, as part of the team's annual spring trip.
