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49er Softball Completes Coaching Staff
Flowers and Swenson Hired
September 6, 2006
LONG BEACH, CA – Long Beach State softball head coach Kim Sowder
announced today the hiring of assistant coaches Tairia Flowers and Stephanie
Swenson to complete the 49er coaching staff.
“I feel fortunate to have Tairia and Stephanie be a part of the
staff,” said Sowder. “Both bring a tremendous amount of knowledge,
passion and enthusiasm to our program.”
“Kim has hired two excellent assistants to round out her staff,”
said 49er Athletic Director Vic Cegles. “Both have proven themselves
at the collegiate level as outstanding coaches and Tairia’s experience
with the Olympic team will prove to be an invaluable resource for our
softball program.”
Flowers, an Olympian and former UCLA standout, has been a member of the
USA National Team since 2001 and was on the 2004 Olympic Gold Medalist
team. She also won gold medals at the 2003 Pan Am games, the 2002 and
2006 World Championships and the 2001 U.S. Cup. In 2005 she played with
the Arizona Heat in the National Pro Fastpitch League, and earned all-star
status. She was the assistant coach at UC Riverside last season.
A four-year letterwinner at UCLA, Flowers went to the Women's College
World Series in each year of her career and was a member of the 2003 National
Championship Team. She earned All-American honors in 2001 and 2003 and
was a three-time member of the All-College World Series Team.
“Tairia has both played for and learned from some of the top coaches
in our sport,” said Sowder. “We are excited to bring those
ideas to our program. The success that she has had in her career reflects
her dedication and commitment to the sport. Tairia will have many responsibilities,
including working with the hitters, catchers and recruiting.”
Swenson will enter her fourth year with the Long Beach State program,
and first as a full time coach. Swenson will serve as the pitching coach.
Since Swenson’s arrival in 2003, there have been three consecutive
Big West Pitcher of the Year selections from Long Beach State.
Swenson was a standout pitcher at UCLA under long time Bruin coach Sue
Enquist. Swenson was an honorable mention All-Pac 10 selection in 2000.
She posted a 10-1 record with five shutouts and three one-hitters. Swenson
finished the 2000 campaign with a 0.81 ERA in 77.2 innings pitched. Her
final season of collegiate softball was in 2001. After her playing days,
Swenson helped out the Bruin coaching staff with recruiting.
“Stephanie has been with our program for the past three years and
has done a tremendous job with our pitching staff. She knows our system
and our expectations and will help to continue the winning tradition in
our program,” said Sowder.
Long Beach State begins the 2007 season in February.
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