DCTC Softball Completes Freshman Class

Four new Blue Knights visit campus for signing event

The Blue Knights NJCAA DII Softball program at Dakota County Technical College announced the signing of four freshman recruits for the 2021–2022 season. Kaitlyn Penny from Farmington, Minnesota, Izzy Okeson from Minneapolis, Minnesota, Amaya Gross from Anchorage, Alaska, and Monica Brown from Mendota Heights, Minnesota, signed national letters of intent to attend DCTC and play softball for the Blue Knights.

“I am very happy with the signing of these four players,” reported Tom Cross, head softball coach. “They will all add to our team in many different ways. We previously signed five players, giving us a total of nine very capable freshmen heading into next season.”

More about the freshman recruits…

Kaitlyn Penny

Age: 17
Hometown: Farmington, Minnesota
Current residence: Farmington, Minnesota
High school and year graduated: Farmington, Class of 2021
High school sports lettered: Softball
Parents: Briann Klungreseter
High school coach: Paul Harrington
Club softball: Minnesota Stars • Coach: Brett Smith
Major at DCTC: Individualized Studies
Softball position: Catcher, utility
Pastimes and hobbies: Practicing sports with my brothers, writing, singing
Career aspirations: Undecided, but interested in science field

Three words that describe you as a softball player:
LEADER. PASSIONATE. DRIVEN.

Kaitlyn Penny • Q & A

Kaitlyn and Coach Cross

What is your greatest strength as a softball player?
I’d say my greatest strength is my passion for the game.

What is your best memory as a high school softball player?
Being able to experience playing for two different high school teams in two different states; making lifelong relationships.

What are your goals as a college softball player?
To be the best I can be; go day by day with a positive mind.

Who’s your favorite player on the USA Olympic softball team?
Aubree Monro!!

Coach Cross: “Kaitlyn is a solid player who receives the ball very well as a catcher and has a good arm. She is also a utility player who can play anywhere. I’m excited to see how she does on the college level.”

Amaya Gross

Age: 18
Hometown: Pierz, Minnesota
Current residence: South St. Paul, Minnesota
High school and year graduated: Eagle River, Class of 2021
High school sports lettered: Softball, competitive cheer, gymnastics
Parents: Scott Gross
High school coach: Scott Gross
Major at DCTC: General studies with the goal to pursue criminal justice
Softball position: 3rd base and catcher
Pastimes and hobbies: Shopping, going to the gym, being outside, sleeping, hanging out with friends and family
Career aspirations: In the future, I would like to be doing something in criminal justice. I’ve thought a lot about being a police officer or detective. I also want to start my own business and get my realtor’s license.

Best word that describes you as a softball player:
DETERMINED

Amaya Gross • Q & A

Amaya and Coach Cross

What is your greatest strength as a softball player?
My greatest strength as a softball player is being a good sport, getting along and working with all of my teammates.

What is your best memory as a high school softball player?
My best memory of as a high school softball player was getting a home run on my first hit in my first game of my sophomore year.

What are your goals as a college softball player?
My goals as a softball player are to be the best I can be and work as hard as I can for my team.

Who’s your favorite player on the USA Olympic softball team?
My favorite player on the USA Olympic softball team is Cat Osterman because I think she’s an inspiration to young girls to keep pushing even when it’s hard!

Coach Cross: “Amaya gives us a left-handed hitter with power that we need. She is competitive and will work hard. Amaya is a good athlete that will play where we need her!”

Isabelle “Izzy” Okeson

Izzy Okeson

Age: 18
Hometown: Minneapolis, Minnesota
Current residence: Minneapolis, Minnesota
High school and year graduated: Washburn, Class of 2021
High school sports lettered: Four years in softball
Parents: Bruce Okeson
High school coach: Edwardo Romo
Club softball: Clutch Hitters and 612
Major at DCTC: Individualized Studies with a focus on science and sport medicine
Softball position: Catcher, 3rd base and 1st base
Pastimes and hobbies: Hiking up north, painting, spending time with friends and family
Career aspirations: Helping others through the medical field

Three words that describe you as a softball player:
FOCUSED. HONEST. PASSIONATE.

Izzy Okeson • Q & A

Izzy and Coach Cross

What is your greatest strength as a softball player?
Communicating with teammates on the field

What is your best memory as a high school softball player?
Making tie blankets for the seniors at the end of the year and hanging out with my teammates.

What are your goals as a college softball player?
Improve my skills, get to know more people and stay in shape.

Who’s your favorite player on the USA Olympic softball team?
Aubree Monro

Coach Cross: “Izzy is a tall, lanky athlete who has a lot of potential. She has played a lot of softball. I look for her fight for playing time!”

Monica Brown

Age: 18
Hometown: St. Paul, Minnesota
Current residence: Mendota Heights, Minnesota
High school and year graduated: Henry Sibley, Class of 2021
High school sports lettered: MVP softball for defensive player; four years lettered in basketball
Grandparents: Mary and Tom Kurvers
High school coach: Jenny Carpentier
Major at DCTC: Photography
Softball position: Left field, 2nd base
Pastimes and hobbies: A variety of activities with my friends that include volleyball, softball, swimming, golf and bike riding; hobbies include photography, dog care, music and dance
Career aspirations: Develop skill in photography and design

Words that describe you as a softball player:
STRATEGIC: I anticipate where the ball should be played involving teammates and runners on base
STRONG COMMUNICATION SKILLS: To alert other team members of my intention to field a ball to avoid any collisions and injuries
FLEXIBLE: Willing to cover other positions if the need presents itself

Monica Brown • Q & A

Monica and Coach Cross

What is your greatest strength as a softball player?
Promote team spirit and collaboration; always on time and mentally and physically prepared to give my best for the team.

What is your best memory as a high school softball player?
This past year playing on Sibley’s varsity team and getting hits that advanced the runners on base, resulting in several wins for our team; receiving a letter for playing varsity softball accompanied by an academic award; receiving an award for Best Defensive Player.

What are your goals as a college softball player?
Work at improving my skills both in the field and batting; work with a trainer that will help me develop my strength and endurance; be a positive and collaborative team player.

Who’s your favorite player on the USA Olympic softball team?
Janie Reed, who is a left fielder. Left field is my favorite position!

Coach Cross: “Monica is a good athlete that is an MVP defensive player. She goes to the ball well and can throw. She has a good bat and will be a good team player!”

More about Blue Knights softball…

Blue Knights softball competes at the NJCAA DII level. The team completed the 2020–2021 season with an outstanding 24–6 record. Home games are played at UMore Softball Fields just south of the DCTC campus in Rosemount, Minnesota.

Three Blue Knights softball players were nominated for 2020–2021 NJCAA All-Academic Awards. Learn more by reading the DCTC News story. Learn more about a 2016 graduate who went on to play NCAA DII softball for the Wayne State Wildcats by reading “Blue Knights Alumna Spotlight: Jordyn Breitbarth.”

2020–2021 stats

Learn more about NJCAA DII softball at DCTC by contacting:

Tom Cross
Head Softball Coach
Assistant Director of Student Life
651-423-8677

Learn more about NJCAA athletics at DCTC by contacting:

Erin Lund
Athletic Coordinator
Academic & Financial Aid Advisor
651-423-8278

DCTC Softball Completes Freshman Class

Four new Blue Knights visit campus for signing event