By: Madison Feldhahn

The Top Gun College Classic took place this past weekend in Overland Park, Kansas. Pool play began Friday night and bracket play wrapped up Sunday evening.

In the 14u age group, there was two pools, and three teams finished pool play undefeated. Those three teams were Select Fastpitch Zagozda, Mac N Seitz Ellsworth 13u, and Ankeny Xtreme Black Ott 13u. Both Southeast Iowa Allstars 14u and MN Moose 14u National went 2-1-0 in pool play. There were several large margins of victories in the 14u pool play. Mac N Seitz Ellsworth 13u won 11-2, Select Fastpitch Zagozda won 12-1, and MN Moose 14u National won 8-0.

There were three pools in the 16u division. Four teams – Aces Fastpitch 16u Taylor, Southeast Iowa Allstars Gold Jones 16u, CR Blue Devils National Beck, Minnesota A’s National Rudquist, and Select Fastpitch 15u Wieligman/Dragon – finished 3-0-0 in pool play. Three teams went 2-1-0. Those teams were Select Fastpitch Heinemann, AFA Gold Vasquez, and KC Pride Charles. Some of the dominant victories in the 16u age division include a 14-0 Select Fastpitch 15u Wieligman/Dragon victory, a 12-0 Select Fastpitch Heinemann win, and a 16-2 AFA Gold Vasquez win.

The 18u age division had 4 pools. Both Southeast Iowa Allstars Gold Scheetz 18u and KC Peppers Lazor went 3-0-0 in pool play. Minnesota A’s Carter went 2-0-1 and Aces Fastpitch 18u Taylor, Southeast Iowa Allstars Gold Miller 18u, and Vision Gold Derryberry went 2-1-0 in pool play. The 18u division had several large wins. Nebraska Gold 319 Berning won 10-0, Southeast Iowa Allstars Gold Miller 18u won 13-1, and KC Peppers Lazor and Southeast Iowa Allstars Gold Scheetz 18u won 12-2.

Bracket play began on Sunday.

Ankeny Xtreme Black Ott 13u won the 14u age group. They started bracket play with a 10-0 victory and followed that up with a 10-4 win. The team defeated MN Moose 14u National 2-1 to seal their championship.

The 16u championship went home with Aces Fastpitch 16u Taylor. The team started bracket play with a 12-1 victory. They won their next two games 11-0 and 9-3, respectively. The Aces team defeated Select Fastpitch Heinemann to win the championship.

Southeast Iowa Allstars Gold Miller 18u won the 18u championship. To start bracket play, the team won 11-0. They then defeated MN Mash National Estrada 9-3 and Nebraska Gold 319 Berning 4-2. To win the championship, Southeast Iowa Allstars Gold Miller 18u beat Aces Fastpitch 18u Taylor 6-2.Congratulations to our champions and thank you to all the teams who joined us this weekend!

By: Madison Feldhahn

The Top Gun KC College Classic is headed to Blue Valley Recreation this weekend and will feature 45 teams from six different states. There is a 14u, 16u, and 18u age division. Pool play will kick off on Friday for all three divisions before resuming on Saturday. This is a single elimination bracket. Bracket play will begin on Sunday.

Gate Fees:

Children – $5

Teens & Adults – $10

Seniors – $5

Military – $5

Take a look at some of the teams joining us below!

14u

Ankeny Xtreme Black Ott 13u

Coaching Staff:  Josh Heidemann – Head Coach, Eric Hogan – Assistant Coach, Jeff Horner – Pitching & Catching Coach

Team Social Media Handles: Ankeny Girls Softball Association – Facebook, @Ankeny_AGSA – X

2024 Summer Successes:  Finished the season 54-14-2, ranking #1 in the State of Iowa and ranking #4 nationals with USSSA.  Finished 5th out of 54 teams at Nationals.  Had 4 of our 11 players playing varsity softball and starting as 8th graders.  What makes this team GREAT and other clubs had taken notice is that all of our players are from the same town and are within 5-10 minutes of each other.

Key Players:  Our entire team from top to bottom are “key” players.  What makes our team very strong and able to compete at the levels we are competing at is that we are strong from top to bottom, as well as we have 3 solid pitchers and 2 solid catchers.

Expectations for 2024 Fall Season:  Challenge our girls to compete at 16U and 18U.  So far this fall we have competed in 2 18U tournaments and have won both of them, playing up against high school girls where our team is comprised of 1 8th grader and all 9th graders.

CR Blue Devils Jensen

Coaching Staff: Josh Jensen

Team Social Media Handles: @CRBDEVILS on Instagram, @CRBDevilsRoyals on “X”, and CR Blue Devils, Devils Den on Facebook

2024 Summer Successes: We were a new team starting this fall. So far, we have played in (3) showcase tournaments finishing in the top half in each with a couple third place finishes.

Key Players: Brielle Anderson #34. Brie is a right-handed pitcher that throws Fast, Drop, Change, Rise, and Screw. She has been near the top of the top performers list for out last two showcase tournaments for both her pitching and hitting.

Harper Meyers #20. Harper is a right-handed pitcher that throws a Fast, Change, Drop, Drop Curve and Rise. Harper is also our lead off batter and leads our team with a .553 BA.

Expectations for 2024 Fall Season: To get our feet wet in some tougher tournaments across the Midwest so we can see what we need to work on and approve on for the coming spring and summer season. This is the first year our club has established National Teams.

16u

Black Widows Marshall

Coaching Staff: McKenzie Marshall, Tim Monahan, Keith Zobrist, Dave Lintz

Team Social Media Handles: X (Twitter): @blackwidows2627, Facebook: Black Widows Softball Association – ’08, Instagram: @blackwidows08

2024 Summer Successes: Stl Recruit Revolution Showcase Champions, Colorado 4th of July Pool Play 1st Seed, Triple Crown Grand Finale Runner-Up

Key Players: Paxton Reid (2026 RHP – Gillespie, IL), Sadie Sholtis (2026 1B/RHP – Gillespie, IL), Allison Lintz (2026 OF/2B – St. Jacob, IL), Addison Hagarty (2026 SS/2B – Troy, IL), Amelia Wilfong (2026 OF – Edwardsville, IL)

Expectations for 2024 Fall Season: We have been attending college team camps in September and early October. We will be playing in 3 showcase tournaments this fall (Top Gun College Classic, Stl Softball Showcase I, Indoor Scouting Showcase) and plan to get our players in front of college coaches and help them grow as individual players and as a team.

Iowa Gold Mathews

Coaching Staff: HC: Mike Mathews, AC: Scott Jarvis

Team Social Media Handles: X – @BlitzIowa, Insta – iagoldsbcoach, Facebook – facebook.com/iowablitz

2024 Summer Successes: 3rd Place Heartland World Series, 2nd Place PG Softball Super Regionals, 1st Place PG OKC Challenge,

Key Players: Aubrey Alstott, Jaya Theilen, Hope Staudenmaier, Ellie Doster, Eden Ladehoff, Hayden Thomas, Elliotte Von Roden

Expectations for 2024 Fall Season: To play some very competitive softball and hit up some frightening haunted houses.

MASH 16u Black

Team Social Media Handles: @mashathletics – TikTok, mash_softball – Instagram, @MASH_Softball – X

2024 Summer Successes: Expanded from 4 to 7 national teams

Key Players: Heiress Brown, Mara Feldmann, Noelle Stein

Expectations for 2024 Fall Season: Our expectation for the fall is consistent development in team concepts, competing in high level tournaments, placing a high value on player IQ and positional development, all while defining our standards and expectations across all levels of our organization.

MASH 16u Maroon

Team Social Media Handles: @mashathletics – TikTok, mash_softball – Instagram, @MASH_Softball – X

2024 Summer Successes: Expanded from 4 to 7 national teams

Key Players: Hazel Ritchie, Lauren Morse, Addison Melby

Expectations for 2024 Fall Season: Our expectation for the fall is consistent development in team concepts, competing in high level tournaments, placing a high value on player IQ and positional development, all while defining our standards and expectations across all levels of our organization.

Minnesota A’s National

Coaching Staff: Jason Rudquist, Rich Gross, Molly Gross

Team Social Media Handles: Instagram mnas_16unational

2024 Summer Success: 2nd Place Music City World Series

Key Players: Returning all 12 players from the 2024 season. Grace Rolek (P), Remi Rudquist (C), Kaylee Coleman (1B), Allie Sheehan (3B,SS) and Kyla O’Keefe (P) have had tremendous starts to this fall season.  Many of these players have played together since 10U.  We are a very athletic team that still does a lot of position rotation throughout the games.

Expectations for Fall Season:  Finished 3rd, 1st and 1st in tournaments starting out the fall.  2024 MN USSSA 16U Open Fall State Champions.  We are playing 3 of the next 4 weekends in the Kansas City area.  We love Top Gun events as you get to play some of the top teams in the Midwest.

Vision Merryman

Coaching Staff: Head Coach – Anthony Merryman, Assistant Coach – Bryan Wyman, Assistant Coach – Niles Thomas

Social Media Handles: X – @VisionGold09, Facebook – @Vision Gold 09, Gamechanger – Vision Gold 09 16U

2024 Summer Successes – 44-7 Overall Record, Top Gun Discovery Showcase Tournament Champions (7-0 record), Triple Crown Texas State Champions (7-0 record), Top Club National Championship (7-0 record), Alliance Fastpitch Championship Series Elite 8 Finish (Finished 7^th overall in Tier 1) , Team 1 Elite Invitational and Alliance Fastpitch Central Championship – 3^rd place finish in both, Colorado IDT – 6-2 overall record

Key Players: Kylee Wyman, SS, 2027, Bentonville, AR High School, Alexis Lorennij, C, 2027 Bentonville, AR High School

Expectations for Fall Season: Continue to grow and develop our players while having a lot of fun as a group competing at a high level. The majority of our group 8 of 10 have played together since they were 7 years old.  It’s a close group that has a lot of fun together. We currently have a 12-0-1 record and have won our first two tournaments of the fall season: Central Baptist College Fall Bash (5-0 record), USSSA Six in September Tournament (7-0-1)

18u

MASH 18u Black

Team Social Media Handles: @mashathletics – TikTok, mash_softball – Instagram, @MASH_Softball – X

2024 Summer Successes: Expanded from 4 to 7 national teams

Key Players: Becca Odland, Amanda Odland, Claire Lorsung

Expectations for 2024 Fall Season: Our expectation for the fall is consistent development in team concepts, competing in high level tournaments, placing a high value on player IQ and positional development, all while defining our standards and expectations across all levels of our organization.Mission Caicedo

Coaching Staff: Head Coach: Nikki Caicedo, Assistant Coach: Jody Gabriel

Team Social Media Handles: Twitter @Mission__FP, Instagram @missionfastpitch

Key Players: Rowan Jansen – Uncommitted 2025. Speedy slapper with a 2.7 home to first time, Lily Kennedy – Uncommitted 2026. IF U, good range, athletic, and speed on the bases. We have a lot of commits. Emmy Ly is a stellar SS, Morgan Alar leads the team with 9 SB in 10 games, Aliza Acker pitches a 61 mph + lethal drop ball, Hailey Cota is an offensive leader and cleans up in CF and SS

Expectations for 2024 Fall Season: Commit our roster. We currently have 6 D2 commits, adn 2 D3 commits, and many others with offers on the table. Earn a bid to nationals. Build a winning record to gain entry into top summer showcases

Nebraska Gold 319 Berning

Coaching Staff:  Asst – Jeff Knutson, Erin Johnson

Team Social Media Handles: Facebook  – Nebraska Gold – 319 Berning,  X – @NEGold319,  YouTube – @NebraskaGold319,  GC – Nebraska Gold 319 Berning

2024 Summer Successes:  All Iowa Kids – Play HS ball in the summer

Key Players: 2026 Lily Knutson (RHP), Ava Tague (Infield), Kyla Schulte (Outfield), Delaney Mathews (LHP), Piper Johnson (SS, RHP):  2025 Lyndsey Kelley (C,3B), Kate Scholl (MIF)

Expectations for 2024 Fall Season:  Won Perfect Game Elite 16 Illinois Showcase,  Still have 3 more showcase tournaments PG – St. Louis, TN Fastpitch Elite Showcase, TopClub OK Showcase

Good luck to all of the teams competing this weekend!

By: Madison Feldhahn

The Top Gun KC College Prospect Series took place this past weekend at Blue Valley Recreation in Overland Park, Kansas. The two-day event featured 14u, 16u, and 18u age divisions.

The 14u age division had just one pool. Iowa Aries 14u CE Fire, Building Champions Peppers/Wallace, Mac N Seitz Ellsworth 13u, and Southeast Iowa Allstars 14u all finished with a 2-1-0 record. Iowa Aries 14u CE Fire finished atop the pool.

There were several dominant victories in the 14u pool play. Some of those victories include a 12-1 win by Southeast Iowa Allstars 14u, 14-5 win by Iowa Aries 14u CE Fire, and a 7-0 win by Vision Elite Hooper.

There were three pools in the 16u division. Select Fastpitch Wieligman/Orf 15u and Iowa Aries National finished atop Pool A and Pool C with 3-0-0 records. Blue Army Gold Wilbur and Kansas Renegades Enfield both in Pool B finished 2-1-0.

The 16u division had multiple large victories. Iowa Aries National won 10-0. Select Fastpitch Wieligman/Orf 15u had an 17-5 victory and Kansas Renegades Gold Fowler won 9-0.

In the 18u division, there was three pools. Southeast Iowa Allstars Gold Miller, Iowa Nationals Gold Lavorato, and Athletics Mercado Elite Brees/Herman finished atop their pools with 3-0-0 records.

Some of the largest victories in the 18u pool play include a dominant 20-0 Iowa Nationals Gold Lavorato win, a 12-0 Southeast Iowa Allstars Gold Miller win and a 10-2 Legends Fastpitch National Teters win.

Mac N Seitz Ellsworth 13u took home the 14u championship. The team defeated Vision Elite Hooper, Southeast Iowa Allstars 14u, and Iowa Aries 14u CE Fire to win their age division. Mac N Seitz went 5-1 through the weekend.

In the 16u division, Iowa Aries National won the championship. The team went 7-0 through the weekend. They defeated Iowa Slammers Correll, Select Fastpitch Wieligman/Dragon 15u, Select Fastpitch 316 Elite Arion 16u, and Select Fastpitch Wieligman/Orf 15u to win the event.

Iowa Nationals Gold Lavorato was the 18u champion. They finished the weekend with a 7-0 record. The team defeated Kansas Renegades Gold Paull-Forney, Team Kansas Denning, Select Fastpitch Heinemann, and Southeast Iowa Allstars Gold Miller during bracket play.

Congratulations to our champions and thank you to all of the teams who played in the Top Gun KC College Prospect Series!

By: Madison Feldhahn

The Top Gun KC College Prospect Series is being played this weekend in Overland Park, Kansas at Blue Valley Recreation. This event features 38 teams from six states – Arkansas, Iowa, Illinois, Kansas, Missouri, and Texas – in three age groups.

This unique event allows athletes to experience being coached by college coaches. College coaches will join travel ball coaches in the dugout and on the field. This is a single elimination bracket with a pre-determined bracket.

Gate Fees:

Children – $5

Teens & Adults – $10

Seniors – $5

Military – $5

Take a look at some of the teams joining us below!

14u

Iowa Aries 14u CE Fire

Coaching Staff: Coach Ashley Blackburn

Team Social Media: x.com/iowa_aries m.facebook.com/100094042287155/

2024 Summer Successes: In Iowa, high school softball is played in the summer.  Our club’s primary season is in the fall (mid Aug- mid Nov).  This team consists of many players that will play for their respective high schools.  Teams and players had tremendous success in club programs prior to joining Iowa Aries for college exposure program.

Key Players: ’29’ Estella Bowman is dominate in the circle throwing with great velocity and excellent spin. The catching platoon will be the best of any 14U team in the event with ’29’s Leah Clark, Averi Bachman, and Brylynn Petek.  High level catchers that are very tough outs. ’29’ pitcher Aurora Widlund is a strike-out style pitcher that will perform well. ’28’ Aubrey Richeal is a talented athlete that is fun to watch.

Expectations for 2024 Fall Season: This team will play at the highest level for 14u this fall in our program.  It consists of many of the top players and will compete in a number of showcase and exposure events across the Midwest.

16u

Blue Army Gold Wilbur

Coaching Staff: Travis Wilbur Head Coach, Jared Swilley assistant coach

Team Social Media Handles: Blue Army – Wilbur Facebook, @bluearmy_wilbur X

2024 Summer & Successes: Stryker 16O Champions. 22-15 record in Topgun Showcase events

Key Players: Bracyn Landers SS, Whitney Wilbur P, Emily Freeby P, Lauren Swilley C, Kendyl Acker 1B/C, Madilyn Harris 2nd.

Expectations for 2024 Fall Season: To compete every pitch of every game and showcase the talents of our players for college coaches.

Iowa Aries 16u National:

Coaching Staff: Coach Brian Ohorilko and Kari Price

Team Social Media: x.com/iowa_aries

m.facebook.com/100094042287155/

2024 Summer Successes: In Iowa, high school softball is played in the summer.  Our club’s primary season is in the fall (mid Aug- mid Nov).  This team consists of many players that played varsity as underclassmen for their respective high schools.  Teams and players had tremendous success this high school season with some playing in the high school state tournament and being named to All-Tournament teams.

Key Players: ’28’ Sophia Schlader will highlight the circle.  She may be the top ’28’ recruit in the country. ’27’ Karter Price and ’28’ Peyten Speigel are very talented pitchers who have earned all-tournament honors in events in this fall. ’28’ Ivy Ohorilko and ’27’ Kailee Thamontri are high level catchers and excellent hitters who have earned all-tournament honors in events this fall. ’27’ Alexa Guyer will dominate the outfield with tremendous speed.  She will be a tough out at the plate.

Expectations for 2024 Fall Season: The Iowa Aries 16U National team has won one event and has two runner-up finishes out of four events this fall playing against older and elite competition around the Midwest.

Select Fastpitch 316 Elite Arion 16u

Coaching Staff: Kaitlyn Arion and Mackenzie Cline

Team Social Media Handles: Twitter: @ArionSFP, Instagram: selectfastpitch.arion

2024 Summer Successes: Our success this past summer was a 21-13-1 season finishing first or second in our pool for every tournament we attended. We finished second in the Perfect Game Regional in Peoria, IL and Emmie Cooper walking away from the tournament named MVP. We completed extremely well and returned 10 of our 12 player roster for this upcoming season.

Key Players: Some of our key players are Lilly Clements, Alexis Butler, and Liv Miller. Lilly is a true utility player and was named team captain last year. she earns that title every second she plays on the field in practice or in a game. She brings energy and fire to the team dynamic. She is an amazing player and an even better person. Alexis is our starting short stop. She has a ton of power! Her knowledge of the game and calm command of the infield is incredible. Liv Miller is a force. She is our starting catcher and a four hole hitter through and through. She is a tough out, a wall behind the plate, and a really big smiler. She impacts the team is such a positive way, it’s hard to believe we could ever lose with her behind the plate.

Expecations for 2024 Fall Season: Our expectations for this fall is to get better and win some ball games! We feel like we are one of the top teams and we will never stop learning and growing as a whole. We want top three finishes for all of our tournaments this fall!

18u

Central Iowa Riptide Elite Glade

Coaching Staff: Douglas Glade 18u, Ethan Hohenadel 18u, Lee Byrd 16u, Matt Keske 16u

Team Social Media: @IowaRiptide X, Central Iowa Riptide Softball Club Facebook, @central_iowa_riptide_softball_. Instagram

2024 Summer Successes: Most girls played school ball this past summer.

Haley Glade 18u, Ava Hohenadel 18u, Addilyn Banks 18u, Karagyn Whelchel 18u, Sydney Goheen 18u, Mallory Byrd 16u, Madison Keske 16u, Haylie Devries 16u, Ila Keuning 16u

Expectations for 2024 Fall Season: Expectations for 18u is to get all my seniors recruited and continue to get better. I have some younger girls in the team this year that will be their first time playing at this level. Want to see them grow and help them get ready for their high school teams next summer.

Iowa Nationals Gold Lavorato

Coaching Staff: Ryan Gripp, Head Coach / Jody Reed, Assistant Coach / Nick Lavorato, Assistant Coach

Team Social Media Handles: X: Iowa Natonals 18u Gold:  x.com/nicklav2015?s=11

2024 Summer Successes: 51-4 -4 overall record. Multiple championship upper level wins

Key Players: Lauren Hagedorn, Tessa Gripp, Sam Gripp, Kari Rose, Sophie Goerish, Tessa  Jones, Geneieve York, Sophie Reed

Expectations for 2024 Fall Season: continue to develop, exposure for the players

Kansas Renegades Gold Paull-Forney

Coaching Staff: Bobbie Paull-Forney Head Coach, Kerry Burns Assistant Coach/GM, Jesse Sandoval Assistant Coach

Team Social Media Handles: X – @KSRenegades_BPF    Facebook – Kansas Renegades Paull-Forney

2024 Summer Successes:  2024 Triple Crown Texas State – Bronze Champions; 2024 Team 1 Summer Invite – Tier 2 Champions

Key Players: Ally Orth (2026 RHP / OF), Liberty Lewis (2026 RHP / OF), Taylin Tabor (2025 MIF), Kiley Thornquist (2026 MIF / OF). Ava Lay (2025 C / 3B), Kyplee Jacobson (2025 C / OF)

Expectations for 2024 Fall Season:  team unity, hard work, compete, college exposure, love the game

Legends Fastpitch National Teters

Coaching Staff: Shawn Teters and Linnie Malkin

Team Social Media Handles: Legends National 2026 (Facebook) & @LegendsNatl2026 (X)

2024 Spring Successes: Top 32 in the Open Division at Sparkler, 2^nd place in the top bracket of the MS Bombers Invite

Key Players: Kennedy Smith – hitting .473 with 5 HRs and 23 RBIs, Macie Ramsey – hitting .533 with 5 HRs and 33 RBIs, Hope Konkler – hitting .466 with .551 OBP, Ava Stimis – hitting .426 with 13 doubles and 5 HRs. Alyssa Lovell, Hope Konkler, Bryley Bratcher – going into the Sparkler, they had a combined 3.01 ERA and 1.0 WHIP

Expectations for 2024 Summer Season: To put our girls in position to accomplish their athletic and academic goals while continuing to set the standard for development of talent.

Team Kansas Denning

Coaching Staff:  Nick Denning (Head Coach); Austin Lago (Assistant Coach); Patti Hays (Assistant Coach)

Team Social Media Handles: @TeamKansas16A

Key Players:  Alannah Hodge (2025; C/UT; Uncommitted); Abby O’Connor (2026; SS/CF; uncommitted); Ava Yokley (2026; P; uncommitted);

Good luck to all the teams this weekend!

By: Madison Feldhahn

The Top Gun KC Fall Futures Invite took place this previous Saturday and Sunday at Central Bank Sporting Complex and Mid America Sports Complex. This two-day event featured 24 teams across 12u and 14u.

In the 12u division, each of the three pools were led by an undefeated 2-0-0 pool record, including two in Pool C. These teams were Select Fastpitch Adams in Pool A, Nebraska Gold 515 Futures Lincoln in Pool B, and Nebraska Thunder Bails and Iowa Gold Prospects in Pool C.

There were several dominant wins in the 12u division. Some of these victories include an 11-0 win by Louisville Lady Sluggers, 10-0 win by Nebraska Thunder Bails, 15-0 by Select Fastpitch Adams, and a 15-1 victory by Aces Fastpitch National Lowry. The highest scoring game of the day was the 13-12 Louisville Lady Sluggers 12u VanBoxmeer victory over Aces Fastpitch National Lowry.

There were 3 pools in the 14u age division and four of these teams – Aces Fastpitch National Jones, Select Fastpitch Jones/Carr 13u, Select Fastpitch 13u Goldman/Tollie, and Nebraska Quakes National 13 – went undefeated during pool play as well.

The 14u division has a lot of dominant wins, including a 15-0 victory by Select Fastpitch Jones/Carr 13u. Aces Fastpitch National Jones (10-0), Building Champions Peppers/Wallace (15-1), KC Pride Flavell 14u (11-2), and Select Fastpitch Zagozda (14-2) also had large margins of victory this weekend. Vengeance Fastpitch Gilbert 13u defeated Nebraska Quakes National 13u 12-9 in the highest scoring 14u game.

The 12u champion was Select Fastpitch Adams. They defeated Nebraska Gold Naughton 11u 5-2 to take home the win. Their biggest bracket victory was 15-0 against Louisville Lady Sluggers 12u VanBoxmeer. The team also posted a big win against Top Gun Gallaway, 10-2.

The 14u champion was Select Fastpitch Jones/Carr 13u. The championship was secured 3-2 against Aces Fastpitch National Jones. The team had two 12-0 wins in pool play and scored a total of 38 runs in bracket play.Congratulations to our champions and thank you to everyone who joined us this weekend!