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Softball
Sullivan Signs Two Illinois Natives to Letters of Intent
Nov. 11, 2009
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. - Illinois softball head coach Terri Sullivan announced today the signing of two in-state student-athletes to national letters of intent. Illinois natives Alex Booker (Gurnee, Ill.) and Jenna Mychko (Union, Ill.) will join the Orange and Blue for the 2010-11 season. "In recruiting, we scour the country to sign the best student-athletes who want to win championships as Fighting Illini," Sullivan said. "In finding Alex and Jenna, we believe we hit that on the head. It's fun to have two players from the state of Illinois. It's a small class for us, but both Alex and Jenna have the talent to come in and contribute immediately to the program in our quest for championships. "We're excited about what they're going to bring to the team. I believe that we're getting two great softball players who also stand out for their strong leadership qualities and for being exceptional teammates. They've been well-coached throughout their playing careers and have a real pride in coming to Illinois. They're dying to step out on the field already, and our team is really looking forward to having them join us." Meet the Newest Illini: ALEX BOOKER Notes: All-North Suburban conference from 2007-09 for Warren Township High School ... News-Sun All-Lake County first team in 2008 and 2009 ... Daily Herald All-Area from 2007-09 ... Lake County Journals All-Area in 2007 and 2008 ... Plays travel ball for the Lake County Liberty, with a career batting average of .450 in 362 at-bats ... Liberty's all-time leader in hits (163), runs (112), total bases (212), stolen bases (65) and walks (33) ... Led the Liberty to the ASA/USA 18U Class A Nationals in 2008 and 2009 ... Attained "Elite Athlete" ranking at 2008 FL Rising Stars Skills Camp ... Ranked first out of 393 players in the 2008 Pennsbury SPARQ Agility Camp ... Named Exceptional Offensive Player at the 2007 USSSA State Tournament ... 2007 USSSA State Tournament All-Tournament Team ... Known for her speed ... Three-sport athlete has three letters in softball, two in basketball and one in volleyball ... Also a member of the President's Council ... Plans to major in architecture or sport management ... Daughter of Terrie Jarocz. Coach Sullivan on Booker: "When you think of Alex, you just know that there's an athlete there. She has great agility and strength, so her athletic attributes are exceptional. She's very fluid when she plays softball and is very natural when she's out there running the bases and chasing down the ball. Alex also has a contagious personality that will fit in well with our team."
JENNA MYCHKO Catcher Union, Ill./Huntley High School High School Coach: Mark Petryniec Travel Team: Orland Park Sparks Travel Coaches: Tom DiBaise/Joe Tholl Notes: 2009 first-team all-state catcher for Huntley High School ... 2008 second-team all-state catcher ... Has a career batting average of .496 with 170 hits and 110 RBIs through three seasons at Huntley ... Three-time Fox Valley all-conference honoree ... Three-time Daily Herald All-Area ... Two-time Northwest Herald All-Area ... Led Huntley to two regional championships and its first-ever Fox Valley Championship ... Three-time Huntley offensive player of the year ... Plays travel ball for the Orland Park Sparks, with a career batting average of .388 with 178 hits, 146 RBIs and 29 doubles ... Also has played basketball and volleyball ... National Honors Society ... Student athletic trainer ... Daughter of Connie and Scott Mychko. Coach Sullivan on Mychko: "Jenna has all the tools you'd want a catcher to have. She has a very strong throwing arm and she both receives the ball and blocks very well. More than that, she has the type of leadership you look for in a catcher. She carries herself like the quarterback of the team. We think that she will continue to do that when she comes to Illinois." Illinois' schedule for the upcoming 2010 season will be released in the upcoming weeks. For the latest information on Illinois softball, follow the Fighting Illini on Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/IlliniSoftball) and Twitter (http://www.twitter.com/IlliniSoftball). |
