PROVO -- Pitchers Tori Almond and Katie Manuma will bring depth to the mound, Madison Robb, Stacie Graham and Manuma will add power and athleticism to the infield while Carly Duckworth will add great speed to the outfield.
This BYU recruiting class represents the best of the best. BYU Head Coach Gordon Eakin is extremely pleased with the addition of these future players and is excited they have decided to play here at BYU. Eakin also is looking forward to what they will add to the team.
“I fully expect each of them to make an immediate impact. They have all shown they can compete at the highest level,” Eakin said.
Almond, (South Jordan, Bingham High School) joins BYU and hopes to bring her poise, maturity and confidence to the mound. Opposing players have learned to fear Almond’s pitching abilities, especially her rise ball, while those on her team have grown to love her athletic abilities and her positive outlook both on and off the field.
Over the last two seasons, Almond has been very productive. She has received several awards and led her team to back-to-back 5A state championship titles. In 2008, Almond was named the Utah Gatorade player of the year, the Utah 5A MVP, and most notably, the 2008 Utah Ms. Softball by Deseret News.
2009 was an even better year for Almond as she was named the Deseret News 5A MVP for the second year in a row. She also made the Utah 5A All-State 1st team, and was named the 5A All-Tournament MVP after winning her second state title.
Duckworth (Salt Lake City, Olympus High School) brings dedication and determination to the outfield as well as great speed and a likeable personality. Duckworth was named the 2008 Olympus High School softball MVP, and also made the 2008 Utah 4A All-State first-team.
In 2009, Duckworth led her high school to their first state tournament appearance in school history, and helped them make it to the semifinals. It was Duckworth’s pitching specifically which got them to the semifinals after a stellar performance against Mattie Snow, Tooele High School’s pitcher. This pitching duel between the two proved to be a legendary bout, but at the end of nine innings, Duckworth pulled through for the victory.
Duckworth was also named to Utah’s 4A All-State first-team in 2009, as well as playing for a Utah ASA team, the Salt Lake Flames, which are currently the state champions. While Duckworth has been an accomplished pitcher, she will patrol the outfield for the Cougars.
Robb (Vernal, Uintah High School) will come to BYU after playing three excellent high school years filled with tremendous accomplishments. Her freshman year started out with a bang as she made the Utah 3A All-State second-team. Her talents further developed in 2008 as she was named to the Utah 3A All-State first-team and also helped her summer team, the Utah Pegusus, take the Western Nationals Championship.
Robb was named Uintah High School’s softball MVP in back-to-back years, 2008-09, and in 2009, Robb made the Utah 3A All-State first-team as well as being an NFCA high school All-American.
Manuma (Ewa Beach, Hawai`i, Campbell High School) comes to BYU with softball coursing through her veins. With three sisters playing in NCAA Division I softball, Manuma’s future as a Cougar is much anticipated.
Manuma will bring depth to the mound as well as her knowledge of infield play and apply it while playing first base for BYU. Her pitching skills are well documented as some articles and fans call her the best pitcher in the state as well as a feared hitter.
Manuma brings a workhorse mentality to the Cougars, and a competitive mentality to the game. Most recently, Manuma was named to the Division one all-tournament team, and was named the OIA Player of the Year in the Red West Conference after a unanimous vote of all the league’s coaches.
Graham (Salt Lake City, Utah, Viewmont High School) comes to BYU with the following life motto: “Quitters never win, winners never quit.” This personal creed has motivated Graham to be the best player that she can be.
In high school, Graham played both softball and basketball. She was named the team’s MVP two years in a row, junior and senior year, and she was also named the MVP of her basketball team her senior year. She was also named to the 2008 Utah 5A All-Star softball team.
Most recently, Graham comes to BYU after playing at Salt Lake Community College. In 2009, she was named to the NJCAA National Tournament All-Tournament team, and the NFCA Louisville Slugger All American. (Both of these awards were earned at SLCC.)
Name Pos. Class Hometown (Last School)
Tori Almond p Fr. South Jordan (Bingham HS)
Carly Duckworth OF Fr. Salt Lake City (Olympus HS)
Stacie Graham INF Jr. Salt Lake City (SLCC)
Katie Manuma P, 1B Fr. Ewa Beach, Hawai`i (Campbell HS)
Madison Robb INF Fr. Vernal (Uintah HS)