CCU's Hannah Rapoport Named All-American
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."