* 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 PREMIER - LB
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!!!
***
***
***
***
***
***
***
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:
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
