May 13, 2009

Rio softball inks Newton's Stewart

Rio Grande---The University of Rio Grande RedStorm softball program continues to fortify the future ranks with talent during this recruiting season and the latest to sign on the dotted line for head coach David Pyles is Newton High School standout Katie Stewart. 

Stewart also made all-league in basketball in 2007 and 2008 as well as the academic team in 2008. She was team Most Valuable Player both years and closed out her career on the hardwood as the school's No. 2 all-time leader in points scored.

"I am very excited about signing with Rio," Stewart said. "I think it seems like a good school and I cannot wait to be a part of the softball program."

Stewart commented on what she liked about Rio Grande. "Rio Grande is a small community much like my own hometown," she added. "The softball coach, David Pyles, seems like a good coach as well as a good person. Also, the atmosphere of Rio Grande is what I loved."

Coach Pyles says there is a lot to like about Stewart. "Even though she's left-handed I think this kid could play any position based on everybody that I've talked to," he said. "She's a very athletic kid, three-sport star and is a good quality kid."

"She's the type that you want to bring into the program and has that left-handed arm, so it's something that we haven't had," Pyles added.

Stewart intends to major in nursing.

Stewart also talked about her strongest assets as a player and also areas where she needs to improve as she makes the jump to the collegiate level. "I feel that my best assets as a player are that I am a team player, I can handle pressure and as a player I am competitive," she said. "I think I can work on being more outspoken as a person and a player."

Pyles gives an assist to an alumnus of Rio Grande for informing him about Stewart. "Alumni from here, Charles Tackett, formerly helped with the softball program years ago told us about her and that's how we got on to her," he said. "Charles now coaches the Ohio/West Virginia All-Star game (which is held on the Rio Grande campus), so it's a neat story."

Stewart will be playing for Tackett on the Ohio squad. 

Prior to coming to Rio Grande Stewart knew the community surrounding the university was small, but knew very little else. "Prior to coming to Rio Grande I only knew that it was a small community and knew nothing of the program," she said.

Stewart's goals as a player while at Rio Grande? "My ultimate goal as a player is to help improve the Rio softball program and do my best to uphold RedStorm pride," she said.

Katie is the daughter of Robert Stewart of Pleasant Hill, OH. 

She joins Katie Fuller of Hamilton High School, Natalie Sargent of Watkins Memorial and Ohio University transfer Jaymie Rector as the current members of 2009-2010 recruiting class.