Top Spring Athlete: A Brilliant Junior Achievement for Richards' LeBeau

Brianna LeBeau, Richards, junior, softball pitcher

Major Accomplishments/Awards

• Led Richards to a 32-3 mark, breaking the school record of 28 wins. Also, it was the first time in school history the team was undefeated on both sides of conference (Red and Blue). Richards' season ended with a loss in the supersectionals.
• Led the team to a 28-game winning streak to start the season.
• Named South Suburban Conference Player of the Year (Red) and All-Conference performer.
• Was team leader in batting average (.516), RBIs (56), runs (46), doubles (18), triples (tied at 4), slugging percentage (.967), on-base percentage (.555) and steals (14 of 15).
• Finished with a 25-3 record on the mound and a 1.07 ERA. 
• Pitched nine shutouts and had 176 strikeouts and only 31 walks.
• Named Illinois Softball Gatorade Player of the Year.

Briana LeBeau: In Her Own Words

The term “team chemistry” is thrown around frequently in the sports world, often without definition. What characteristics make up this special ingredient that so often leads to team success? The Richards softball team exhibited many team chemistry traits this season, so it will serve as a great example.

• Encouragement and unity: Every inning, the Bulldogs were chanting and cheering for each other to succeed. “Go Hannah, Hannah! Go Hannah, go Hannah, go!” was the cheer for junior shortstop Hannah Jenkins at the plate.
• Humbleness and trust: According to Bulldogs coach Julie Folliard, the players all believed in one another, and that led to everyone bringing their best every day.
• Friendship: Relationships grew as the season progressed, and any spectator could notice it. Whether it was outfielders Kailie Tobin and Sam Kusta sharing a pre-inning handshake, or the laughs shared in the dugout, the strong relationships were evident.

It was this team chemistry that LeBeau is going to remember about the season.

“I’m definitely going to remember all of the girls,” LeBeau said. “We had a great time. Just winning all of those games that we won, we all did it together and every single game was a team effort. Not one person overtook the game—we all contributed. And definitely the team chemistry. We all got along and we all loved to be with each other.”

LeBeau said the chemistry developed over the season.

“I think we all adapted very well and learned to be everyone’s best friend. We all got a lot closer, and it’s sad to see the two seniors go,” LeBeau added, referring to Kailie Tobin and Kristin Renken.

Julie Folliard: Coach’s Tribute

LeBeau carries the pressure of following in the footsteps of her two older sisters who played softball at Richards. According to Richards head coach Julie Folliard, while LeBeau had a great sophomore season, she wasn’t quite the player that Folliard knew she could be.

That changed this year.

“I’m going to remember that she really grew up a lot,” Folliard said. “She grew up a lot from last year to this year. The maturity and the poise that she demonstrated game after game, I think is night and day from last year.”

With all of LeBeau’s accomplishments, it might have been easy for her to revel in the glory. However, that’s not her personality.

“She has a really big heart,” Folliard said. “You have to be around Brianna on a daily basis to really see that because she’s very, very humble and, in fact, she’s sometimes shy. She’d rather go in the background and take care of business than be in the forefront.”

Heading to Northwestern

After LeBeau graduates in 2012, she will be heading to Northwestern to continue her softball career.

“I think it was just a perfect fit of education and sports,” LeBeau said of Northwestern . “I love the coaches. They’re nice and great people.”

LeBeau still has her senior year ahead, with the hopes of helping Folliard reach state for the first time.

“I’m super excited to spend another year with Brianna and our team,” Folliard said. “I think the whole team would say this: Every day we loved coming together. I couldn’t get here fast enough. And I’m not making any predictions about next year. All I know is that I would hope that we are as fun and as selfless and as giving and as competitive and just have a great time. That’s what this year was.”