JOHN KOVACH | Colleges Off-season work aids Gillam
A specialized training program and hands-on coaching methods have helped Norah Gillam to take a giant leap in softball from Canfield High to Wittenberg University in only one year.
After being cut from the Canfield team last year in her senior season, Gillam blossomed as a freshman utility player for Wittenberg this spring and was named the North Coast Athletic Conference Newcomer of the Year and made the All-NCAC first team.
"I made a giant leap in performance from high school to college because my ability to play was enhanced by the training programs," said Gillam, a pitcher, first baseman and designated hitter who started all 34 games for the Tigers and evolved into a team leader.
"Generally, when it is not my turn in the pitching rotation, then I will play first base and DH," she said.
Gillam said she developed at Wittenberg because of "the off-season work and pretty much the leadership of the upperclassmen [who made] sure I was in the weight room every day or in the batting cages."
Had the most hits
She led the team in hits (33), was second in RBIs (16), third in batting average (.314) and slugging percentage (.381) and fourth in runs (13) and on-base percentage (.379), as Wittenberg posted a 12-21-1 record, including 5-8 in the NCAC, under coach Becky Hall.
On the mound, she had a 4-7 record and 2.84 ERA with 45 strikeouts and only nine walks over 74 innings in 12 appearances.
Gillam credited her regular participation in a weight-lifting program from October to January with senior lifting partner, Christy Schneider, for making her stronger and faster.
"We lifted three days a week. It took us 1 hour and 45 minutes, but it could take longer depending on how busy the weight room was," said Gillam, noting that the workout sessions were regular and organized.
"In high school, it was pretty much [going at random] to the weight room to lift. There wasn't any kind of a set program."
Focus of development
She focused on building her upper body and legs.
"We did a lot of upper-body building because I am a pitcher and she had a shoulder injury, so she was rehabilitating. We used free weights," said Gillam. She said they built their leg muscles by doing squats and power jumping using boxes. And they ran a lot.
"The two of us would run for 20 minutes, or we [would] get the whole team together to play basketball for a couple of hours, or racquetball, to build unity on the team."
Gillam also valued the instruction she received from pitching coach Heidi Pease, who formerly pitched for the University of Dayton.
"She showed me all the spins I needed to have, and she actually pitched those spins at Dayton. Seeing her do it was a big advantage," said Gillam.
"I learned a different way to throw a change-up and two other breaking pitches that I had in high school [and] I picked up 4-5 mph on my fastball."
Gillam also developed mentally as well as physically and academically.
Got better grades
"My GPA went up during softball season," said Gillam, who is majoring in biology and pre-medicine and has a 3.05 grade-point average.
She did better academically because of "study tables [and] mandatory study group time" that didn't exist in the fall. "In the fall, I think I was still stuck in the high school mode."
Gilliam said she always was a good hitter.
"I learned how to hit real young. I was always able to get hits. Now I'm stronger so I hit the ball harder," said Gillam, who began playing softball at age 8.
"My father [Jim] worked with me when I was younger. My mother [Marcy] and father encouraged me to play softball at a young age."
Jim is a retired softball catcher.
Gillam chose to attend Wittenberg after an overnight visit to the school, and a talk with the coach. She has found that to be a rewarding decision.
"Everyone is very friendly. When you walk through the streets on campus everyone says hello and you have no idea who they are. They are very caring people," she said.
Gillam was joined on the All-NCAC team by two other area players -- Amanda Weigand, a freshman outfielder for Hiram from LaBrae; and Jess Young, a senior infielder for Allegheny from Maplewood. They both made honorable mention.
Weigand batted .326 while Young hit .193 with 14 RBIs.