Considering her achievements in softball, it is notable that Goodrich senior Kelsey Krych has pulled off a double play as it relates to her college future.
Krych signed a letter of intent with Oakland University Tuesday, Nov. 14 at Goodrich High School, and will participate on both the Golden Grizzlies? softball and women’s cross country teams. She has been an All-State performer for the Martians in three different sports: cross country, girls? track and softball.
Goodrich girls cross country and track coach Jennifer Sweet said Krych entertained several offers before deciding on Oakland.
‘She’s going to do an awesome job,? Sweet said of Krych. ‘One thing I thought during this season is whoever gets her is going to be very happy. She’s a great kid, very coachable and very happy.?
Krych ran with the Martians? cross country team for the second straight year this season. In 2005, she helped the Martians win their third straight Division 3 state cross country championship before the Martians moved to Division 2 this season.
Oakland University women’s cross country coach Paul Rice said the fact Krych has been a strong contributor to a successful high school cross country program makes her a good fit for the Golden Grizzlies.
‘It’s nice to get an athlete like Kelsey, who’s had success individually, yet knows what team success is all about,? he said. ‘She’ll be a part of the team concept we’re trying to build here. It’s great to have an athlete come in with her credentials.?
Rice also said he expects between six and eight freshmen will be on the team during Krych’s freshman year at Oakland. ‘I expect them to bond and run well together,? he said.
Sweet said Krych has done a good job of taking her raw speed and learning how to use it in cross country.
‘She had the endurance and stamina to go with cross country,? Sweet said. ‘She knows how to gauge herself. She’s very smart as far as that goes.?
Krych will be joining another student from The Citizen’s coverage area, Brandon High School graduate Kayla Doan, on the Golden Grizzlies? women’s cross country team. Doan is currently a freshman at Oakland.
In contrast to her recent involvement with cross country, Krych has been with the Martians? softball program since her freshman year.
Last season, Krych, for the second straight year, made the Division 2 All-State softball first team in a vote by the Michigan High School Softball Coaches Association. Krych was selected as one of six outfielders on the first team.
Krych is among the Michigan High School State Athletic Association single-season softball leaders in base hits (76) and stolen bases (76). She set both marks in 2005.
Rice said he does not anticipate any conflict between the cross country and softball seasons for Krych.
‘Most of the training for cross country takes place during the summer months,? he said. ‘We’ll be having indoor track soon, and she’ll be pretty active with that until February, when softball gets going. In high school, she’s run track and softball at the same time, so I think this will actually be easier for her.?
Krych will be joining another Goodrich alumnus, Julie Owen, on the Golden Grizzlies? softball team. In her freshman year at Oakland in 2006, Owen, an infielder, hit .282 with one home run and 10 RBI, and compiled a .939 fielding percentage.