Fresno State Athletics
Whatever It Takes
5/11/2000 12:00:00 AM | Softball
May 11, 2000
FRESNO, Calif. - For the Bulldogs to be ranked in the Top 10 in the nation is not unusual. Fresno State softball is a traditional powerhouse that consistently fields a solid team year in and year out. Although the fans may see the same starting nine out on the field most every game, it would be foolish to think this group is not team oriented. Everyone on the roster has a contribution to make, whether large or small.
Sophomore Kelley Cook is one of those role players that contributes in ways that go unnoticed. She is athletic, intelligent and has solid softball skills. Becky Witt and Vanessa Czarnecki are the team's regular outfielders, but all year long Cook has been pushing them to their best. That is how championships are won, or shall we say three straight conference titles in Fresno State's case.
"I'm just doing whatever I can to help the team win," Cook said. "Whether it be to pinch run or provide good competition in practice, I'll do it."
At Glendale High School, Cook used her athletic skills in both volleyball and softball. On the diamond, she registered first-team all-league honors four times and first-team All-Valley twice. She served as the team's captain and was MVP in her junior and senior campaigns. She was named to the Daily News all-star team, awarded Glendale Lions Club Athlete of the Year and earned Glendale High Athlete of the Year.
That is impressive recognition to say the least and Cook's high school softball coach Craig Becker can attest to that.
"Kelley was a great athlete," Becker said. "She had so much determination. She knew how to win."
The University of Baylor and Cal State Northridge also recruited Cook, but she said Fresno State would provide the best opportunities for her both academically and athletically. Now, she is putting forth her best effort to help the Bulldogs reach their plateau.
Cook admires Jenny Dalton, a former Glendale High and University of Arizona star, and her mother, Pam Zarillo, for her persistence and ability to overcome challenges. Zarillo sees the same in her daughter.
"Kelley is a very outgoing person," Zarillo said. "She is very confident and she worked hard to attend Fresno State."
Cook has appeared in 27 games with one start, participating primarily as a pinch runner. She has scored four runs and has one stolen base. So For the Bulldogs to be ranked in the Top 10 in the nation is not unusual. Fresno State softball is a traditional powerhouse that consistently fields a solid team year in and year out. Although the fans may see the same starting nine out on the field most every game, it would be foolish to think this group is not team oriented. Everyone on the roster has a contribution to make, whether large or small.
Sophomore Kelley Cook is one of those role players that contributes in ways that go unnoticed. She is athletic, intelligent and has solid softball skills. Becky Witt and Vanessa Czarnecki are the team's regular outfielders, but all year long Cook has been pushing them to their best. That is how championships are won, or shall we say three straight conference titles in Fresno State's case.
"I'm just doing whatever I can to help the team win," Cook said. "Whether it be to pinch run or provide good competition in practice, I'll do it."
At Glendale High School, Cook used her athletic skills in both volleyball and softball. On the diamond, she registered first-team all-league honors four times and first-team All-Valley twice. She served as the team's captain and was MVP in her junior and senior campaigns. She was named to the Daily News all-star team, awarded Glendale Lions Club Athlete of the Year and earned Glendale High Athlete of the Year.
That is impressive recognition to say the least and Cook's high school softball coach Craig Becker can attest to that.
"Kelley was a great athlete," Becker said. "She had so much determination. She knew how to win."
The University of Baylor and Cal State Northridge also recruited Cook, but she said Fresno State would provide the best opportunities for her both academically and athletically. Now, she is putting forth her best effort to help the Bulldogs reach their plateau.
Cook admires Jenny Dalton, a former Glendale High and University of Arizona star, and her mother, Pam Zarillo, for her persistence and ability to overcome challenges. Zarillo sees the same in her daughter.
"Kelley is a very outgoing person," Zarillo said. "She is very confident and she worked hard to attend Fresno State."
Cook has appeared in 27 games with one start, participating primarily as a pinch runner. She has scored four runs and has one stolen base. So it may not always show up in the box score or in the headlines, but Cook's presence is there.
