After leading the Colorado Christian University Cougars to the NCAA
tournament in the inaugural season of softball at the school, Hannah Rapoport
has been named a First Team All-American by the National Fastpitch Coaches
Association. The first CCU athlete ever to earn that status, Rapoport batted
.459 this year while notching 34 RBIs, 15 doubles, and 20 stolen bases. One of
two players from the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference to earn the honor,
Rapoport was also named RMAC Player of the Year.
While the award is
for a tremendous individual accomplishment, Rapoport is quick to point to the
influence of her team. "This honor for me has everything to do with them," she
says. "When we step on the field together every one of those girls is my
sister. They were my support this season."
Also named to Daktronics
Second Team All-America, Rapoport is a new arrival at CCU, transferring in for
the spring 2012 semester. She credits her coach, Daven Bond, with her move:
"The fact that he could see something in me, which even I couldn't see, helped
me to take the risk to transfer."
Hannah's transfer began just six
months ago--last Thanksgiving. Daven Bond tells it: "Just after Thanksgiving
this past year, I was looking at softball recruiting videos on YouTube, of all
places. I clicked the tab for the most recently uploaded and the very first
one that popped up was Hannah Rapoport. I must have watched that video 20
times that night. The very next morning, I contacted Hannah and invited her
to visit our campus during her Christmas break. She came on a visit to CCU
that same week and fell in love with the team, campus, and Denver. It's
amazing how things worked out. We were so fortunate to have her this year."
Bond adds, "Awards like this only happen when a team performs well.
This is the result of the girls coming together and reaching the NCAA
regionals in their first year."
After a momentous year, Rapoport
sees greater things for CCU's future. "If people think we came out with a
bang this year, just wait until next year. It's going to be amazing what we
can accomplish as a team." Coach Bond is more tempered in his approach but
similarly enthusiastic. A strong recruiting class and successful first year
have set high expectations. "I already miss the girls and can't wait to get
started in the fall."