Nov. 30, 2004

San Marcos, Texas - Texas State softball inked five players to national letters on intent for the 2006 season, Head Coach Ricci Woodard announced Wednesday.

The `Cats signed position players Ali McCormack, Karen Taylor, Alex Newton, Jetta Weinheimer, and Ryan Kos.

"I am very pleased with this signing class," said Woodard. "Our goal was to go out and find four or five student-athletes that would fight to get on the field next year and I feel that is exactly what we accomplished. I couldn't be more excited with this group of signees."

McCormack, a senior short stop from Ryan High School in Denton, Texas, is a three-year letter winner under Head Coach Tommy Blair and the 2004 6-4A Offensive Player of the Year. As a freshman, she was the District Newcomer of the Year and earned All-District Second-Team honors as a sophomore.

In 2003 she was awarded by her teammates the Tina Minke Award for toughness and was the first Ryan player to hit a homerun at Ryan High's Tina Minke Field. This year McCormack was also selected to the elite academic list of Who's Who Among American High School Students.

"We expect McCormack to come in and help us out early in her career at third base," said Woodard. "She will also provide some power in the offense and her versatility will help her have a great shot at being in the starting lineup next year."

Taylor played catcher, first base, and outfield for Head Coach Sherry Rogers at Plano East Senior High School in Plano, Texas. Taylor was a District 9-5A First-Team All-District selection in 2004 and in her sophomore season was the District Offensive Player of the Year. As a freshman, Taylor earned the District Freshman Newcomer of the Year award.

Taylor also enjoyed success at the club level, where she helped lead her squad to two NSA State titles in 2000 and 2001 and an appearance in the ASA World Tournament.

"Karen is expected to come in and help us out catching right away. She throws the ball extremely well from behind the plate and her offensive power will be hard to keep out of the lineup next year."

Newton comes to Texas State as an experienced infielder with the ability to pitch and cover the outfield. In three seasons under Head Coach R.D. Moore at La Porte High School, Newton twice earned a place on the All-Greater Houston First-Team as well as an All-State selection in 2004.

Hitting in the leadoff spot, Newton helped lead La Porte to back-to-back Texas Region 3 runner-up finishes in 2003 and 2004.

She hit .412 her junior season while as a sophomore her .487 batting averaged was third highest in the Houston area.

Newton is a two-time First Team All-District selection as well as a two-time Academic All-District.

"Alex is a great grab for Texas State. She was highly recruited by several schools (Texas Tech, Texas, and Houston), but decided that this was the best fit for her. I truly expect Alex to be our starting short stop for the next four years. She is an extremely hard worker and when added to her athletic ability she will be exactly what we need to help this program continue toward success."

Weinheimer, is a three-year starter at the outfield position for Head Coach Scott Vasquez at Fredericksburg High School. In 2004, she was an All-State and First-Team All-District selection as she hit .474 with an on-base percentage of .506.

Weinheimer was All-State Honorable Mention in 2003 and a Second-Team All-District selection her sophomore and freshman seasons. Weinheimer is also a three-time Academic All-District selection, was the 2003-2004 Class President, and is a member of the National Honor Society.

"Jetta will come in and help us provide some needed depth in our outfield. With her speed and angles to the ball, she will be a huge asset to our outfield."

Kos, a middle infielder from Magnolia High School, is a three-year letter winner under Head Coach Renee Bialas. A 2004 All-State team selection, Kos earned national recognition as junior when she was named to the Louisville Slugger/NFCA All-Region First-Team as well as the All-Greater Houston Area Second-Team.

She was the 2004 Montgomery County Co-Defensive Player of the Year and is a two-time First-Team All-District 16-5A selection.

In her first season with Magnolia High, Kos earned All-District and All-County Honorable Mention and in 2002 helped guide her club team, the Texas Peppers, to a USFA State title.

"Ryan is one of those true second baseman that will come right in and help with the vacancy of Ashley Wilson. She is a great defensive player, and will add speed to our offense."