National Elite Futures Camp This Week

October 12, 2010

This week, the 6th annual National Elite Futures Camp will take place at Mt. San Antonio College in Walnut, CA. This annual event has become one of the premier recruiting stops in in the country, and anywhere from 90 – 110 college coaches are expected to attend this year’s two day event. Participants will range from precocious eighth graders from Florida and the Midwest to established juniors from some of the elite Gold travel teams. Without doubt, it will be a fun event that will serve as a springboard to many great opportunities for all these young ladies.

So how did this all start? At Gold Nationals in Salem, OR in 2003, the seeds of the Elite Camp were sown following a conversation between the great UCLA Head Coach, Sue Enquist, and Derek Allister. The first camp was held in Las Vegas at UNLV with the incredible cooperation of Lonni Alemeda – now at Florida State – and her staff. This camp produced many of today’s collegiate stars, such as Lexi Bennett (Texas), Alicia Herron (Ohio State), Sammie Camuso (UCLA), Lauren Shutzler (Arizona), Taylor Schlopy (Georgia), Dorian Shaw (Michigan), Morgan Melloh (Fresno St./Indiana), Valerie Arioto (Cal), Karissa Buchanan (Arizona), Jordan Taylor (Michigan), Krista Donnenwirth (Arizona State), Kenzie Fowler (Arizona), Ashley Hansen (Stanford), Lini Koria (Arizona), Kimi Pohlman (Washington), and Monique Fuiava (Oregon). And in looking back on that first group, all a person can say is “Wow!”

Given the fact that the first National Campers are now entering their senior years, here are some interesting stats:

  • 10 of the 18 starters in the 2010 College World Series played in the National Elite Camp.
  • 10 of 17 players on the 2010 Junior National Team played in the National Elite Futures Camp.
  • 33 of 42 players invited to the 2010 Jr. National Team Tryouts were invited to the Elite Camp.
  • 5 of the players named 2010 1st Team All-American by ESPN played in the Elite Camp.
  • National Camp alumnus Ashley Hansen, Stanford, made the Women’s National Team in 2010.

Five years later, our question is who will be next?