By Jude Harder
UWRF Sports Information

Only a junior, Michelle Kelley is now a veteran on a very young and talented 2006 UWRF softball team. So far this season, both offensively and defensively, she has taken full advantage of her opportunity to play everyday and be a leader.

After being named co-most improved player last season as a sophomore, Kelley was determined to get off to a fast start this year and so far she has done just that. She has already increased her hits, runs, and RBI totals three-fold from the 2005 season. A little more than halfway through the 2006 season she has 16 hits, five of those for extra bases, 13 runs, 10 RBI to go along with a .239 batting average.

Kelley is one of only four Falcons who have started all 24 games to date. She spends most of her playing time in right field, but has also started four times in center field. She has batted any where from sixth to ninth in the lineup and gives the team an added punch at the plate no matter what spot in the lineup she holds.

Equipped with outstanding speed she has the ability to cover a lot of ground in the outfield and swipe bags while on the base paths. One of her main goals this season is to increase her on-base percentage so that she can create havoc for opponents while on the bases both in stealing bases and scoring runs.

Kelley is very encouraged and excited by the cohesiveness of this year's team. "The team chemistry is great, this team is the most fun and energetic team I've ever played on, it's amazing."

Kelley's team goals are for the Falcons to be in the top three of the highly competitive WIAC. She thinks this year's team has the athletic talent and chemistry to go as far as their drive will take them.

She is one of only three juniors on a young team consisting of no seniors, six sophomores and six freshmen.

She has taken her role as a leader very seriously this season both on and off the field.

"Being one of the older players on the team, I have to make sure that I am a positive role model for the younger players. I have to make sure that I am giving 110 percent through everything that I do," says Kelley.

Falcon Coach Faye Perkins really likes the energy that Kelley brings to the young squad. "She is a real spark plug on the team, she is very upbeat and fired up at all times."

Kelley began playing softball when she was nine-years-old. She attended Century High School in Rochester, Minn., where she actually starred as a second baseman. It wasn't until college that she switched positions. Perkins felt that her skills were better suited for the outfield.

"She has incredible quickness, great arm strength and an uncanny ability to throw hitters out at first base on hits to the outfield," says Perkins.

Kelley is the daughter of Maureen and Mark Kelley and has one brother and one sister. She greatly admires her mom and her aunt, Jayne. "They are both huge influences on my life. They are extremely strong willed and are willing to put everything and anyone before themselves and have really shown me the true meaning of life."

Kelley came to River Falls to play softball and also because of the school's strong elementary education program. She loves kids and hopes to one day teach first or second grade. Currently she works at the YMCA where she gains valuable experience working with kids in the summer youth programs.

Academically, Kelley was named to the 2005 WIAC Scholastic Honor Roll and earned NFCA Scholar-Athlete honors. She has also made the Dean's List for two semesters running.

Her favorite moment so far this season is going to Florida with the team to compete against teams from around the country. She felt the team played some good games against some tough opponents.  

She loves to spend her summers wakeboarding and water skiing. She also enjoys attending sporting events, especially baseball or softball games.

Her favorite sports team is the Minnesota Twins and her favorite athlete is the Twins centerfielder Torii Hunter. Her favorite movies include Sandlot and Fever Pitch which both happen to be about baseball. She loves Italian food, which is one of the most popular eat-out destinations for this year's team.