Christner, Richvalsky, Romero Named 2016 Captains
12/17/2015 12:00:00 AM | Softball
Dec. 17, 2015
ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- University of Michigan softball head coach Carol Hutchins announced Thursday (Dec. 17) that seniors Olivia Richvalsky and Sierra Romero and junior Kelly Christner have been named captains for the 2016 season.
Richvalsky, a native of South Lyon, Michigan, has served as one of the Wolverines' go-to pinch runners, and after missing all of the 2014 season with injury, returned last year to record 11 runs scored and two hits through 26 appearances. A two-time Academic All-Big Ten selection, Richvalsky is majoring in communications studies.
A second-year Wolverine captain, Romero was named Michigan's Female Athlete of the Year in 2014-15 and the inaugural espnW Softball Player of the Year after leading the Wolverines with a .449 average, 22 home runs and 83 RBI. A native of Murrieta, California, she is a three-time NFCA All-American, including a two-time first-team selection, and is already U-M's career record holder in six offensive categories. She is a general studies major with a focus on English and sociology.
Christner, a native of Tinley Park, Illinois, also earned All-America first team honors in 2015 in her first season in the Wolverines' starting lineup. She boasted a .393 average with 21 home runs and 67 RBI. A 2015 Academic All-America selection, Christner is majoring in movement science.
The Wolverines will kick off the 2016 campaign Feb. 12-14 at the USF Wilson-Demarini Tournament in Tampa, Florida, where they will face South Carolina, Illinois State, Florida, USF and Virginia Tech.
Communications Contact: Leah Howard
