TORRINGTON – The former 12-and-under Torrington Twisters have made the move to the 14-and-under class for the 2017 season, which starts this weekend.
Last year’s 12U Twisters experienced a lot of success, finishing as the runner-ups at both the Wyoming ASA State Tournament and the Mountain State Championships. In USSSA sanctioned games, the Twisters went 17-5.
Dan Fox, the coach of last year’s 12U team and this year’s 14U team, said that he is returning all of the same girls from last summer. Because the whole group moved up an age class, the Twisters will have a summer full of games against older girls.
“I’m expecting more of the same with success,” Fox said. “We are going to be playing a lot of teams that are older, but we will still be successful.”
The Twisters wrapped up their 2016 season in the Fall Festival Tournament in Loveland, Colo. on Oct. 29-30, where they went 2-2. Following the October tournament, Torrington had most of November and December off, before starting again with practices once a week starting in January. After the basketball season concluded, the Twisters upped their practices to 2-3 times a week to gear up for the season.
Many of the girls are practicing with the Twisters, while participating in other sports, which Fox supports. He said he encourages the girls to play fall and winter sports. He also works with other coaches around the area for girls who play spring sports so they can balance their time between softball and track.
“I’m lucky to have Walt Smith and Mark Sims work with me and allow girls to do both sports,” Fox said. Sims even worked with four of the girls during the off season with strength and conditioning.
Returning all of the girls from the successful 2016 team could prove to be a big advantage for the Twisters this year. The Twisters have five girls from Torrington and the remainder of the girls on their roster comes from neighboring cities, including into Nebraska.
“I’m really excited about this group of girls because they get along so well,” Fox said. “These girls staying together is so important. It’s exciting to me because we can really make some noise. My job is just to keep working them hard.”
Fox said having the same roster is a luxury and he is expecting several girls to step up and lead the team out on the diamond.
“I’m expecting Avery Fox to continue her leadership. She is a positive influence on the team,” Fox said. “I’m looking to her and Brady Laucomer to step up and lead.
“Mariyah Avila is competitive in everything she does. Her, Brady and Avery will be getting everyone going.”
The Twisters are heading to Arvada, Colo. this weekend and next. Action starts on Saturday for both of the weekend tournaments. The two tournaments in Arvada get the action started for the 2017 season. Torrington’s season will get into full swing once school lets out.
“I look at these first two tournaments and they count for points and help you for seeding, but I look at the first two tournaments as a way to get the rust off and see what I have,” Fox said. “If we lose a game because I play everybody, then that’s okay.”
