North Carolina State University Athletics
Cooper, Bechtholdt and Peters to Join Wolfpack Softball Team
12/13/2005 12:00:00 AM | Softball
Dec. 13, 2005
Wolfpack softball head coach Lisa Navas got what she asked for in her recent recruiting class; Depth. Navas added three quality student-athletes to the NC State softball program during the recent signing period. Claudia Copper and Lauren Peters, both of Georgia, and Kristine Bechtholdt of Washington state will join the team in the fall of 2006.
Cooper, a native of Hiram, Ga., joins the Pack after lettering in softball for four years at East Paulding High School under coach Audra Thomas. Cooper served as the only pitcher for the team during her tenure, while offering up a solid stick at the plate, batting .450 during her senior season. Cooper brings plenty of accolades to NC State, being named Paulding County Player of the Year in 2004, while picking up all county honors all four years. In addition, Cooper played on three ASA National squads and was a 2005 Wendy's Heisman nominee. Copper's efforts extend from the diamond into the classroom, where she has been named to the honor roll several times en route to gaining membership into the Beta Club.
"Claudia has a ton of firepower with her bat and is a great hitter," Navas said. "She gives us good versatility as a catcher and third baseman. Claudia knows how to win as she comes from a championship summer ball program in the Titans."
Hailing from McDonough, Ga., Peters joins the Pack from Union Grove High School, where she lettered in softball for four years, serving two as a team captain, under coach Brian DeBerry. Peters helped control the middle of the infield during her high school career, spending time at second and shortstop. Peters' was a first-team Atlanta Journal Constitution selection in 2004, after gaining honorable mention the previous two years. In addition to her high school team, Peters also played for the Xtreme Mavericks club squad.
"Lauren is going to bring us speed and depth in the middle infield," Navas said. "She can also play some outfield and will provide a spark with her energy and athleticism."
Bechtholdt, hailing from Ridgefield, Wash., lettered in softball under coach Al Aldridge for three seasons at Prairie High School. Bechtholdt, who spent time at both second base and in the outfield, helped led her school to a league title during her senior season. In addition, she played six consecutive seasons in the ASA Nationals league with the Vancouver Ford, picking up two top-10 finishes and a third-place team finish along the way. Aside from being named to the all league team three times during her high school career, Bechtholdt served as a freshman mentor and made the honor roll three times. She will be the odds on favorite to replace senior second baseman Tess Corona in 2007.
"Kristine Bechtholdt is a quality second baseman and is well known for her homerun prowess," Navas said. "She will fill the void at second when Tess graduates."
The 2006 Wolfpack softball team will jump-start the spring season with five games at the Tiger Invitational in Auburn, Ala., Feb. 10-12. Until the season begins, stay up to date with the team on GoPack.com.
