LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Oklahoma State University head coach Kenny Gajewski has been voted as the new president of National Fastpitch Coaches Association. Gajewski is one of five members elected to the Association’s Board of Directors, who will officially begin their three-year terms on January 1, 2026.
Additionally, the NFCA announced its new 2026 committee member appointments.
Gajewski, along with new divisional representatives – Lauren Ebstein (NCAA DIII – Tufts University), Bruce Lenington (NAIA – University of the Cumberlands), Aaron Mullens (NJCAA – Murray State College) and Karen Sanders (Valley View High School) are all serving on the NFCA’s Board of Directors for the first time.
Additionally, Carnegie Mellon University head coach Monica Harrison and Southern Oregon University’s Cheyenne Bricker were appointed to the Board in 2025. Harrison will serve as the newly-created Access and Opportunity Representative, while Bricker joins as an Assistant Coach Representative. Both will serve in their roles through 2026.
Following her three-year term as NFCA President, University of Missouri head coach Larissa Anderson will serve as the Association’s Past President from 2026-2028.
Outgoing board members – Kate Drohan, Northwestern University (Past President), Leslie Huntington, University of Wisconsin Eau Claire (NCAA DIII), Pat Reardon, Central Methodist University (NAIA), Lana Ross, Kansas City Kansas Community College (NJCAA) and Blue Springs South’s (Mo.) Kristi Williams (High School) will be recognized for their service during the NFCA Convention’s Awards Brunch on Dec. 13 in Las Vegas.
NFCA Board of Directors (Effective Jan. 1, 2026)
Bold denotes new members
Executive Board
President – Kenny Gajewski, Oklahoma State University
Past President – Larissa Anderson, University of Missouri
Vice President, Awards – Courtney Deifel, University of Arkansas
Vice President, Education – Megan Brown, Longwood University
Vice President, Membership – Renae Hartl, Luther College
Vice President, Publications – Chris Malveaux, Auburn University
Group Representatives
Division I – Megan Bartlett, Arizona State University
Division II – Megan Correia, Cal Poly Humboldt
Division III – Lauren Ebstein, Tufts University
NAIA – Bruce Lenington, University of the Cumberlands
NJCAA – Aaron Mullins, Murray State College
Cal JC – Marian “Speedy” Mendoza, Fullerton College
NWAC – Jessica Buel, Clackamas Community College
High School – Karen Sanders, Valley View High School (Ark.)
Travel Ball – Suzy Willemssen, Virginia Glory
Access & Opportunity – Monica Harrison, Carnegie Mellon University
Assistant Coach – Boo De Oliveira, University of Notre Dame
Assistant Coach – Cheyenne Bricker, Southern Oregon University
Emeriti – Julie Lenhart, SUNY Cortland (ret.)
New Committee Members (Effective Jan. 1, 2026)
All-American regions in parentheses
NCAA Division II All-American - Brenda Holaday, Washburn University (Central); Bob Baginski, Jefferson University (East); Claire Sua-Amundson, Cal State East Bay (West)
NCAA Division III All-American - Krysti Maronski-Neufeldt, Randolph-Macon College (Region VI)
NAIA All-American - Todd Humphry, Freed-Hardeman University (Region VI)
NJCAA DI All-American - Maria Winn-Ratliff, Trinity Valley Community College (Midwest)
NJCAA DII All-American - Shannon Riley, Howard Community College (East)
High School Steering Committee - Eric Weisgerber, Southridge High School (Wash.) (III); Brian Boeving, Red Bud High School (Ill.) (V)
Awards Committee - Ricky Holden, Claflin University (NCAA DII); Josie Henry, Case Western Reserve University (NCAA DIII); Jenna Koch, Niagara County Community College (NJCAA); Jordan Bradley, Tonasket High School (Wash.) (High School); Kevin Shelton, Texas Glory (Travel Ball); Ash Franke, OK Athletics 2033 (Assistant Coach)
Access & Opportunity Committee - Now-Allah James, North Carolina Central University; Genee McRath, Tennessee State University; Ciera Jones, Clark College; Stephanie Kissner, NJ Wolfpack
Ethics Committee - Camise Patterson, Alabama State University; Madison Armstrong, Western Carolina University; Julia Culotta, Stevenson University; Jason Gallo, Virginia Phoenix
Events Committee - Trisha Senyo, California State University, Fullerton; Tim Whitman, North DeSoto High School (La.); Ryan Braden, Belmont University; Amber Dewald, Amber’s Fastpitch
Hall of Fame - Jennifer Herzig, James Madison University (NCAA DI); Jason Grahn, Finesse Rock Hall (Travel Ball); Emlyn Knerem, Belmont University (Assistant Coach)
Mentoring Committee - Kevin Bednoski, Eckerd College; Meredith Smith Neal, Pellissippi State Community College; Todd Buckingham, John Melvin Christian College – Winter Park
Publications Committee - Madison Trotman, Massachusetts Institute of Technology; Nick Schaeflein, Judson University; Frank Ehrenfeld, Pennsbury Gems
WISE Cabinet - Les Stuedeman; Mickey Dean; Cindy Bristow
