Softball Signs Four Recruits

Nov. 13, 2008

IOWA CITY – Head Coach Gayle Blevins has announced that four recruits have signed National Letters of Intent to attend the University of Iowa next fall. They include Johnnie Dowling, Jordan Goschie, Chelsea Lyon and Ashley Vanderloo.

“These young women understand what it means to be a Hawkeye and look forward to the opportunities that lie ahead,” Blevins said. “They are all solid academic students as evidenced by their high school honors and achievements. They will be able to carry the tradition of excellence. We are very happy to have Chelsey, Johnnie, Ashley and Jordan join us next fall.”

Dowling is an outfielder from Des Moines and attends Valley High School. She is a three-time all-state, two-time elite all-state and two-time all-district pick. Dowling was also named the Iowa Class 4A Offensive Player of the Year in 2008. She helped lead Valley to Iowa Class 4A state titles in 2005, 2007 and 2008 and was named to the state tournament all-tournament team in 2006-08. Dowling is also a three-time all-conference selection. She also won a soccer state championship in 2007 and succeeds in the classroom, being named an all-academic student four times.

“We have had the pleasure of watching Johnnie Dowling perform for a while,” Blevins said. “We know she has all the attributes necessary to be a successful athlete in the Hawkeye program. Johnnie has a strong arm, plays a solid outfield defense and swings an aggressive bat. As a member of the Des Moines Valley High School program, she has enjoyed a great deal of success and she knows how to win. Johnnie is an excellent athlete and will be a solid contributor to the Hawkeye program.”

Goschie, a middle infielder from Eugene, OR who attends Churchill High School, is a two-time all-state selection. She was also named first team all-Midwestern League in 2007 and 2008. Goschie has enjoyed a successful ASA playing career with the Eugene Thunder, Oregon Reign Gold and Washington Ladyhawks. She played for the Eugene Thunder from 2002-06, finishing with one state championship and two-runner up finishes. The team also placed in the top 20 at the ASA national tournament three times. Last season, she led the Washington Ladyhawks to a 33rd place finish at the ASA Gold National Tournament.

“Jordan Goschie’s speed, good glove and strong arm equip her with the attributes to become a great infielder,” Blevins said. “I have seen how hard she has trained to be able to compete with her northwest team at the national level, and that work ethic will enable her to be successful at Iowa. Many student-athletes simply do not make that type of commitment. One thing our most successful athletes have in common is their strong desire and dedication. This is why Jordan is such a good match to Iowa.”

Lyon is a pitcher from Broken Arrow, OK, and is considered one of the top pitching prospects of the 2009 recruiting class. She was a four-year starter and led her high school team to a 105-8 record over the four-year period. Lyon is a three-time Tulsa World all-Metro and all-conference selection. She was also selected as the conference Player of the Year as a senior and named to the High School Sports the Magazine/VYPE All-Star team in 2006 and 2007. As a sophomore, Lyon was a perfect 22-0 in the circle and also hit .385 with a team-high 44 RBI. Lyon had a 25-2 record with a 0.14 earned-run average and a school record 180 strikeouts, along with a .422 batting average and a .517 on-base percentage as a senior. She also led the team in RBI and shared the team lead in doubles and home runs. Lyon finished her career with 75 victories, which is the second-highest total in her school’s history. She led Broken Arrow to four-straight regional championships and state tournament appearances, with state titles in 2006 and 2008. Lyon went a perfect 4-0 while pitching at the state tournament. She played for the ASA affiliated Oklahoma Attack that played in the Gold National Tournament in 2008 and won the 14U Southern National Championship in 2005. Lyon is also a successful student with a 4.27 grade point average and scored a 29 on the ACT. She has been admitted to the University of Iowa Honors Program and has also been granted a University of Iowa National Scholars Award scholarship, studying pre-medicine.

“We are thrilled to have Chelsea Lyon as our pitching recruit in the 2009 class,” Blevins said. “She possesses all of the tools as a pitcher and her offensive skills make her a multi-dimensional player. Chelsea is the complete package. Adding a pitcher with national-level competitive experience enables her to be an early contributor to our success. Not only is Chelsea a tremendous athlete, but she is also going to thrive academically. We could not have a better match to Iowa.”

Vanderloo is an infielder/outfielder from Sioux City, IA, and attends Sioux City East High School. She is a three-time all-state selection, including first team elite all-state as a senior. Vanderloo has also been named first team all-conference three times and all-district twice. She batted .602 as a junior, which led the state and shattered the school record. Her .602 average also placed her in the top-10 in Iowa high school history. Vanderloo also led the entire state with a .679 on-base percentage. She batted .454 as a sophomore and holds three different school records, and is also listed in the school record books in a total of seven statistical categories. Vanderloo is also a four-year letterwinner in basketball and an honor student.

“Ashley Vanderloo adds an element that is hard to find,” Blevins said. “She is an excellent lefty hitter and slapper and has the ability to play both infield and outfield. Our very best teams have always had an athlete with this type of versatility. Ashley has carried the dream of one day becoming a Hawkeye for years. History has shown us Iowa students with that dream make the most of their years on our campus. Ashley will make her mark on our program.”