Vikings Sign Four Softball Recruits 

The Dana College softball team announced the signing of four players of national letters intent on Thursday.  Joining the Vikings for the 2008-2009 season are Michele Schoop (Johnston, IA), Nicole Schoop (Johnston, IA), Michelle Steven (Des Moines, IA), and Paige Lager (Missouri Valley, IA).  Lager and the Schoop sisters are sisters of current members of the Dana College softball team

Nicole Schoop is a catcher from Johnston, Iowa.  She is the daughter of Dave and Lynne Schoop.  She plans to major in science during her career at Dana College. 

Roff’s comments:  “Nicole Schoop is the type of kid that every coach loves to be around!  She has such a great work ethic and wants nothing more than her team to succeed.  She has been working to improve every aspect of her catching, as well as her offensive game.  We believe Nicole will improve her arm behind the plate as well as her release time.  Nicole plays at one of the most competitive high school softball programs in the state of Iowa and that has prepared her for collegiate softball.  We are very please that she has chosen to attend Dana with her sisters!”

Paige Lager is a pitcher from Missouri Valley, Iowa.  Lager is the daughter of Raymond and Judy Lager.  She plans to major in Biology during her career at Dana College.  Last season at Missouri Valley High School, Lager hit .411 and struck out only two times.  On the mound, she was even more dominating.  She was 19-12 last year with 176 strike-outs and had an earned run average of 0.78 in 206 innings pitched. 

Roff’s comments:  “Paige will add some much needed pitching depth to our team next year.  She has the ability to come in and make an immediate impact.  She is playing on a Gold ASA team currently, which has her pitching at 43 feet already.  That type of experience will give her a taste of what college ball is like.  Not only can she pitch well, but she is also a good hitter.  We look for her to primarily pitch, but we will also work her into another position as well.  Paige has had a great career at Missouri Valley, as she has earned all-conference, all-district, and all-state honors.  We are very excited to have Paige and can’t wait to see her keep growing as a player and student.”

Michelle Steven is a pitcher from Des Moines, Iowa.  She is the daughter of Mike and Beth Steven.  Michelle plans to major in math and finance during her career at Dana College.  Last season at Des Moines Lincoln, Steven was 19-14 with 197 strike-outs.  She had a 1.18 earned run average in 219 innings pitched.  Steven earned 3^rd team all-state honors in class 4A.

Coach Roff’s comments:  “Michelle’s commitment to Dana has solidified our pitching staff for next year.  With our incoming pitchers and our returning pitchers, we have created a staff that can keep us in every game.  Our freshmen pitchers next year have great experience and potential   I am so excited to have the opportunity to coach Michelle for the next 4 years because she only wants to get better and be a part of a powerful pitching staff.  She has the tools and work ethic to be extremely successful for the Vikings.  We are pleased with Michelle’s decision and are looking forward to having her on the 2009 Viking squad!”

Michele Schoop is a pitcher from Johnston, Iowa.  She is the daughter of Dave and Lynne Schoop.  Michelle plans to major in Accounting, Business, and Social Work during her career at Dana.  Last season at Johnston, Schoop pitched 129 innings with 61 strike-outs and had a 2.01 ERA.

Coach Roff’s comments:  “Michele is another product from Johnston high school that works very hard and does whatever it takes to make her team better.  We have seen Michele really grow into a pitcher, rather than just a thrower.  She has worked on making her pitches move more and changing up speeds.  We feel that Michele has all the tools to be a successful pitcher at Dana.  We are thrilled to have 3 Schoops’ on the team next year!”

The Vikings are currently 2-3 on the season.  Coach Roff is in her fifth year at the helm of the Viking softball program.  Dana College is a private, Lutheran college located in Blair, Nebraska.  They participate in the Great Plaines Athletic Conference and a member of the NAIA.  Dana College is a place where all students actively participate.

For more information please contact:

 Shad Beam, Sports Information 402-426-7389 or sbeam@dana.edu.