Walton Named Assistant Coach for 2015 USA Softball Junior Women’s National Team
Wednesday, November 19, 2014 | Softball
After leading the Gator Softball program to its first national championship in 2014, Head Coach Tim Walton will serve as an assistant coach for the USA Softball Junior Women's National Team (JWNT) during its 2015 competitions. The Amateur Softball Association of America (ASA) on Tuesday announced the full coaching staff, which features Head Coach Tairia Flowers and assistants Trisha Ford, Kristie Fox and Walton.
“I'm excited to represent my country and work with a great group of talented coaches and players from all over the United States,” Walton said. “It's an honor to be selected to work with the U.S. Junior Women's National Team, and I'm grateful to ASA and Tairia Flowers for giving me this opportunity.”
Gator freshman Nicole DeWitt is among the 20 athletes who have received invitations to the 2015 USA Softball JWNT Selection Camp. In addition, 2014 Florida signees Kelly Barnhill and Amanda Lorenz will participate in the event, which is scheduled for Jan. 3-4, 2015, in Irvine, Calif.
Walton has compiled a 492-114 record in nine seasons at Florida, part of a 615-178 career mark that spans 12 years. The Cerritos, Calif., native has led his teams to 10 NCAA Tournament berths, seven Super Regional appearances, six trips to the Women's College World Series and last season's national title. In addition, Florida's 10th-year head coach won national championships in 2000 as an assistant softball coach and in 1994 as a baseball student-athlete, both at the University of Oklahoma.
"I am thrilled to have these three as a part of the staff," Flowers said in a USA Softball release. "As both players and coaches they have proven that they know the game and can get it done at a high level. It's an honor in itself to be a part of this program, and with this great group I can't be more excited for what's to come in the 2015 season."
Walton and the Gators are scheduled to face Ford and her Fresno State squad on March 7, 2015, in Fullerton, Calif. Last season, Florida defeated Flowers' Cal State Northridge team on Feb. 15 in Las Vegas.
The final 17-player JWNT roster will compete in the World Cup of Softball X and the ISF Junior Women's World Championship. The squad's complete schedule will be announced at a later date.
2015 USA Softball Junior Women's National Team Coaching Staff
Head Coach:
Tairia Flowers – Cal State Northridge Head Coach
Assistant Coaches:
Trisha Ford – Fresno State Head Coach
Kristie Fox – UT-Arlington Head Coach
Tim Walton – Florida Head Coach
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