Hall of Fame
One of ICC's nine National Championship-winning teams, the Cougars were led by head coach and Hall-of-Famer Lorene Ramsey.
The Cougars were perhaps overlooked going into the tournament, despite having already accumulated a State and Region Championship. ICC had played a schedule that featured a large number of state/four-year institutions so while the Cougars did not have a glitzy record, they were prepared for tournament time.
Powered by ace pitcher Deanna Hacker, who went on to play at Indiana, the Cougars shut out every Nationals' opponent, including a 1-0 victory over #1 Central Arizona in the National Championship Game. Hacker also didn't walk a single batter over the course of the tournament, leading to her National Tournament MVP selection.
Hacker was largely helped by her high school (Washington) catcher, Leslie Miller, who went on to play at Florida State. Ramsey largely credits the chemistry of those two players as a difference maker in the team's ultimate success.
The roster was largely composed of inter-area players. The team also featured Paula Buscher, Cyndi Hoffman, Leslie Miller, Julie Compton, Jan Christiansen, Julie Micheletti, Caryl Moehring, Stacy King, Lisa Cantor, Julie Conway, Keri Hanson, and Laurie McDonough.
Ramsey's coaching staff also featured 2024 ICC Athletics Hall of Fame inductee Karen Guthmiller.
