In our latest club profile we head to the South where we look at one of the most storied softball programs over the last decade, the Gold Coast Hurricanes, which is led by Marty Cooper who has also had great coaching success at American Heritage High in Plantation, Fla.

The Hurricanes have won national championships and developed dozens of elite players who’s gone on to star at the college level including several who played for the National Champion Florida Gators including series MVP Hannah Rogers…

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Club Team: Gold Coast Hurricanes
Head Coach: Marty Cooper

 

LAST YEAR (2013)

Key Accomplishments: Tied for 9^th at PGF Nationals

Top Players Returning:
— C Gwen Svekis (2014, Oregon)
— P/OF Allison Davis (2014, Virginia)
— P Sydney Matzko (2014, North Carolina)
— 1B Kayli Kvistad (2014, Florida)

Top Players Lost:
— P Courtney Mirabella (graduated, now at North Carolina State)

 

THIS YEAR (2014)

StudentSportsSoftball.com: What do you think are the strengths on this year’s team?
Marty Cooper: We are well balanced with speed, power, pitching and defense.

SSS.com: What area(s) concern you or will you be working to improve on this team?
MC: Getting the team exposure to the best competition.

SSS.com: Who are 1-2 newcomers you expect to have an impact?
MC: Four I would mention are:
— C Jordan Roberts (2016, Florida)
— P Julia Dimartino (2015, Liberty)
— P Meghan King (2014, Maryland)
— OF Lily Mann (2015, Florida)

SSS.com: Name 1-3 players you think will really emerge and impress this year?
MC: The two just mentioned, Jordan Roberts and Julia Dimartino along with Toni Polk, a 2015 shortstop committed to Penn State who’s from New York.

Others to watch include infielder Giana Arruzieretta (2014), catcher Lulu Newmark(2014), center fielder Lexi Diemmanuelle (2015) and shortstop Kali Jones (2015).

SSS.com: What tournaments/events will you be playing this summer?
MC: We have a full summer which includes:
— So Cal Invitational
— Rock Tournament (New Jersey)
— Colorado Sparkler
— Triple Crown Nationals (Atlanta)
— Atlanta Legacy
— PGF Nationals (Huntington Beach, Calif.)

SSS.com: How do you expect this team to play style-wise?
MC: We have good speed and power along with a good defense.

 

SO CAL ATHLETICS INVITATIONAL

SSS.com: What is your primary goal in playing in this event?
MC: To get the team exposed to the best teams in the country.

SSS.com: What players/teams are you excited to see or play against?
MC: All the teams and players!

SSS.com: What will determine if this is a successful event for you?
MC: We want to measure what we have and where we need to be.

 

MISC.

SSS.com: What keeps you coming back as a coach
MC: I enjoy teaching the game as well as offering experiences in life that will empower these young ladies to be successful at whatever they desire.

SSS.com: What would you say has been a highlight of your career?
MC: Working for many years to compete at the highest level and winning a national title.

SSS.com: What do you look for in a player you’re considering adding to your team?
MC: Attitude, athletic ability and good character.

SSS.com: Finally, who have been some of your former players you’re most proud to say you coached (and why)?
MC: There are so many but here are some of the great ones that come to mind:

— CF Leslie Klein (LSU)
Leslie played for me since she was 13 years old. She was the first to break into the SEC.

— C Megan Higginbotham (Minnesota)
Our first Olympic try-out invitee. Megan was the most driven player I’ve known.

— P Stephanie Brombacher (Florida)
I had the fortune of coaching Steph since she was 13 years old.  Steph had the best attitude to back up her talent.

— C Tiffany DeFelice (Florida)
Tiffany came to me when she was 13 years old.  She had the work ethic of a pro.

— CF Hailey McClenney (Alabama)
Hailey is by far the most pure natural athlete ever!

— P Hannah Rogers (Florida…  WCWS champion!)
Hannah has a great work ethic and is a true champion.

— RF/UT Bailey Castro (Florida)
I had the great fortune of coaching Bailey since she was 12 years old. Players like Bailey come along once in a lifetime.

— CF Kirsti Merritt (Florida)
Kirsti is a shining example of hard work and success.

— 1B Taylor Schwarz (Florida)
Taylor is the ultimate “team player” and has the talent to get it done.

— P Leslie Jury (Alabama)
Great competitor and easy to coach.