* TRAINING  &  TEAMS *

* 2022 Illinois ALL State-1st Team Infield *

* 2022 Chicago Catholic Athlete of the Year *

*Legacy & Legends Top 150 Players, Class of 2022*

*Extra Inning Softball  TOP 300 Prospect, Class of 2022*

*2021  Illinois ALL STATE - 3rd Team Infield*

*2021 & 2022 All Area & All Conference- Chicago Catholic League*

* SOFTBALL   TRAINERS *

It's  NOT about how bad you WANT  it...  

 It's about how HARD you're willing to WORK  for  it!

Professional  Hitting Instruction 

 Coach  John Martin 

 2021 - CURRENT

Experience: 

 *Chicago White Sox Consultant 

*St. Louis Cardinals World Series Champion 

Player & Coach

*Detroit Tigers World Series Champion-Player

*Oakland A's -Coach 

*Hall of Fame-Eastern Michigan University

*Coached Softball Players 

@ the following

 D1 Universities:

OKLAHOMA, TEXAS, VIRGINIA TECH, PITT, INDIANA, MISSISSIPPI STATE, ARIZONA STATE, SAINT LOUIS UNIVERSITY, OHIO UNIVERSITY, ABILENE CHRISTIAN UNIVERSITY, BOSTON COLLEGE

Russo Hits  a  Monster 3 Rbi  HOME RUN Left Field  OVER the 2nd TALL BLUE FENCE!

 Advanced  Infield  Training 

 Coach Kim Berg & Mallie Hall

 2017- Current

Experience:  Coach & Former Quinnipiac University Softball  / Saginaw Valley Shortstop

(708) 263-3724

Coach Tim Graff

Speed & Agility Coach

Graf Speed Enhancement

Tim Graf raced in the age 55-59 100 and 200 meter finals were the most "loaded" events at the track meet. The finalists in both events included two defending National Champions, one National runner-up and the current World Champion. Tim Graf placed 6th in the 100m with a time of 12.41 which is the 9th fastest time in the world this year.

In the 200 meters it was a photo finish for third. Tim Graf ran 25.12 and 3rd was 25.10 missing 3rd by .02. The time in the 200m was the 5th fastest time in the world this year at that distance.

Tim Graf earned "All American" honors in both events running some of the best races of his life! We are all very proud of Tim with being 6th in the nation in the 200M and 4th in the 100M!  Contact: 815-325-4004 

grafspeed.com

20 yard Dash

2.58 seconds


There  may  be  girls  with  more  talent  than  you...

but  there is  NO  EXCUSE  for anyone WORKING  HARDER  then You!


Overall Sports Training with 

Mike Russo

Experience:  Head Coach for Many Youth Sports Leagues including Softball, Baseball, Football & Basketball 

 Athletic Experience: Played Football & Baseball as a  Shortstop/ Pitcher 

Mike Russo (my Dad) has prepared me  physically & mentally  by helping me stretch my athletic ability and developing my mental awareness in sports.   We train daily reinforcing my technical skills and game IQ.  He has coached, supported, and trained me in  every aspect of  the game since I was very young (4).

  I have also strength trained with Marla at Body Tech Gym, trained for agility at Athletic Republic Gym, and trained defensively with Softball Coach Mallie Hall. 

Advanced Catcher Position Training 

Coach Dave Bernhard

 2017- 2022

Experience:  Nationals 18U Coach and Former Southern IL University &  Lewis University Catcher

Contact Info: Dave@teambernhard.com

 Advanced  Hitting Instruction 

 Coach Larry Brzezinski 

 2017- 2021

Experience:  Owner of Nationals Softball,  18U Nationals Coach,  “Absolute Swing” Elite Instruction

* SOFTBALL   TEAMS *

PLAY for the name on the FRONT of the jersey... NOT  the name on the back!

ABILENE CHRISTIAN UNIVERSITY

ABILENE, TEXAS

Western Athletic Conference

2022-2023

Position: 2nd Base / Utility Player

COACHES: Abigale Farler, Caty Reeves, Jessica Twaddle

Super Proud of My 2021/22 Nationals Premier Softball 18u Team!  Hard Work earned us a #9 Spot in @theAllianceFP HFL Top 20 Team Rankings! 

Can't Wait to See where We finish! ️

I'm Excited to Announce that I will be on the Nationals 18U Gold Team!!

NATIONALS 18U GOLD 

TRAVEL Seasons: Fall 2021 / Summer 2022

Positions: Middle Infield & Catcher

*Associate Head Coach: Larry Brzezinski  (Club Owner)

  Email:  Nationalsgold@aol.com 

Cell: (708) 243-0186

*Associate Head Coach:  John Newman

 (Mississippi University,  South Dakota State Coach)


Thank you Coach Larry & Coach John!!

*********************

Play  HARD,

Play  SMART,

Play  TOGETHER.... 

Let the 

Hitting, Pitching & Fielding

BEGIN !!

*********************

NATIONALS 18U GOLD TEAM

Coach: Larry Brzezinski & John Newman

Contact Email: nationalsgold@aol.com

Cell: (708) 243-0186

Travel Seasons: Fall 2020-2021

Positions: Shortstop, 2nd Base, Catcher, 3rd

NATIONALS 16U PREMIER- KB  

Coach: Kim Berg   (Quinnipiac U)

Contact email:  Nationals116@aol.com 

Cell: (708) 263-3724

TRAVEL Seasons: 2019-2020

Positions: Shortstop & Catcher


"It's AMAZING how far you can go just because someone Believed in You!"

Thank you Coach Kim

 for ALWAYS Believing in Me!!

NATIONALS 16U PREMIER- KB  

Coach: Kim Berg  (Quinnipiac U)

Contact email:  Nationals116@aol.com 

Cell: (708) 263-3724

TRAVEL Seasons: 2018-2019

Positions: Shortstop & Catcher

********

You Play Softball...NOT for a trophy or fame

BUT...for the LOVE of the GAME

********

NATIONALS  16U  PREMIER- KB

Coaches: Kim Berg/ Dave Bernhard

TRAVEL Seasons: 2018-2019  

Positions: Shortstop & Catcher


NATIONALS 14U PREMIERLB

Coach: Liz Brzezinski

TRAVEL Seasons: 2017-2018 

Positions: Shortstop & Catcher

BRW BLAST 16U- A 

COACH: Rick Curtis

TRAVEL Season: 2017

Positions: Shortstop & Outfield

HIGH  SCHOOL  SOFTBALL 

PROVIDENCE CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL SOFTBALL

COACH:  Jim Holba

HIGH SCHOOL SEASON: VARSITY TEAM 

 Senior Year, 2022

Positions: 3rd Base & Catcher

PROVIDENCE CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL SOFTBALL

COACH: Jay Biesterfield / Jim Holba

HIGH SCHOOL SEASON: VARSITY TEAM 

 Junior Year, 2021

Positions:  3rd Base & Catcher

PROVIDENCE CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL SOFTBALL

COACH: Jay Biesterfield / Jim Holba

HIGH SCHOOL SEASON: VARSITY TEAM 

 Sophomore Year, 2020

Positions: Catcher, 3rd Base

PROVIDENCE CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL SOFTBALL

COACH: Dawn Gura/ Frank Cavallone

HIGH SCHOOL SEASON: JV TEAM & VARSITY

 Freshman Year, 2019

Jersey  #7

Positions: Catcher, 3rd Base, Centerfield

*TRAINING:  SOFTBALL  &  COVID-19* 

Today  I will do what others Won't... So that Tomorrow... I  can do what others Can't!


The Covid-19 Virus /  Pandemic might have made us       "Shelter in place"...BUT  I  STILL TRAINED hard in the garage with my DAD!**


Unfortunately...Covid-19 Pandemic caused

No High School softball season 

AND

No travel softball practice or games

 until  Mid June!!!

  During this time, I hit 6  buckets of balls every day, I ran 1 mile, weight trained in our basement gym and  worked with my Dad.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

We were blessed today!   I was able to do some batting practice in our friends barn. Thank you!!!


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I  LOVE this Video! 

  **Exactly My Thoughts!** 

**Especially during the 

Covid-19 Pandemic!**

I'm VERY Grateful... 

We are ALL playing again!

Thank you for taking the time to visit my site!

I  hope you like this Training & Team page that describes how hard I work!

Check out my other pages by clicking on the underlined page tabs: 

Profile        About Me         Videos(Offense)        Videos(Defense)        Schedule         High School 

Please contact me if you have questions or are interested in recruiting me.

   I  look forward to hearing from you very soon!

Gianna Russo

Twitter: @Gmrusso77

Primary  Positions: Middle Infield & 3rd