Laura Christopher enters her third season as the head softball coach at Brown Mackie
College — Salina.
In 2011-2012, Christopher's second season with the program, the Lions posted an
overall record of 27-26, earning the most wins for the program in over 11 years.
The squad was nationally ranked top 25 in the NJCAA for team batting average for
the duration of the season, peaking at 4th and never dropping lower than the top
25. Brown Mackie College – Salina ended the season with a .358 team batting average,
ranked 23rd in the country.
The Lions finished 10th in the Kansas Jayhawk Conference with a 13-17 record. The
squad swept seventh seed Neosho County in the first round playoffs, qualifying for
the Region VI Tournament in Topeka, Kansas.
The Lions were lead by 1st Team All-Region VI selection freshman Mariana Cerenio-Jordan,
2nd Team All-Region VI freshman Shannon Brennan, and 2nd Team All-Region VI sophomore
Lauren Peraza.
In 2010-2011, Christopher's first year with the program, the Lions grabbed 17 wins,
marking the program's most wins since 2006 (and one game shy of doubling their wins
from the previous season). The Lions featured a highly competitive squad, losing
10 games by one run. Sophomore pitcher Jennifer Garcia was named 1st team All-Region
VI and freshman shortstop Lauren Peraza earned 2nd Team All-Region VI honors.
Christopher began her coaching career in 2009 as an assistant coach at Bethany College
in Lindsborg, Kan. There, she assisted with hitting, infield, and catchers as well
as recruiting and game-day operations.
Christopher brings more than 12 years of competitive playing experience to the table.
After three shoulder surgeries, she returned to the field and closed out her collegiate
softball career as a designated player and second baseman for Bethany College (Lindsborg).
In her two years as a Swede, she earned two-time All-KCAC and NAIA Scholar Athlete
honors. Named captain as a senior, Christopher helped Bethany reach the KCAC conference
championship in 2009.
Prior to her time at Bethany, Christopher played softball at NCAA Division I Georgia
State University and Lamar Community College (Colorado).
A native of Aurora, Colo., Christopher holds a bachelors degree in sports management
from Bethany College (Lindsborg).
Kate Elliott enters her second year as assistant softball coach for Brown Mackie
College — Salina.
Elliott is currently the assistant sports coordinator and a member of the front
desk staff at the YMCA in Salina.
Elliott has extensive experience in sports management. She has served as the tennis
program coordinator and adult kickball coordinator for City of Lakewood (Colo.),
helping the tennis program grow by more than 30%. Elliott has also worked in race
management for BKB Limited, a running company based out of Centennial, Colo. In
addition, Elliott completed a marketing internship with the Denver Outlaws professional
lacrosse team as well as compiling additional sports league coordinator experience
with Durango (CO.) Parks and Recreation.
Elliott has fastpitch softball playing experience as an outfielder and has also
spent some time as a softball umpire.
A native of Aurora, CO., Elliott graduated from Overland High School before earning
a bachelors degree in exercise science with an emphasis in sports administration
from Fort Lewis College (Durango, CO).