Vanguard University

The athlete:  Melissa comes to Vanguard from Foothill High School in Palo Cedro, where she graduated in 2003…played softball and volleyball for FHS…was an All-League and All-Section catcher…Team MVP…received Coaches’ Award…made the All-Star team as a senior…was also a high school Scholar-Athlete…has played softball for 13 years…spent five years with the North Valley Rapids ASA program…bats right and throws right…quick footed catcher…great blocking skills and catching instincts…good pitch caller and leader behind the plate…will push for time at the catching position as well as in the outfield or on the infield…solid all around softball player…good baserunner…contact hitter who will have to adjust to collegiate pitching…has the skills and game smarts to contribute in many different ways as a freshman.

The person:  Melissa LeAnn Benson was born on August 26, 1985 in Redding, California to her parents Brad and Carla Benson…has one older brother and one younger sister…goes by “Mel” for short…loves to eat tri-tip steak and garlic mashed potatoes…watches “Everwood” on TV…favorite movie is “Old School”…loves the color red and the number three…roots for the Florida State Seminoles football team…enjoys reading the Harry Potter book series…hobbies include snowboarding, wakeboarding, eating, shopping, and listening to music…would like to meet her favorite athlete Tracy McGrady…feels that ignorance is the biggest problem in the world…loves that the VU softball team gets along so well and has so much fun…has leaned in life to not take anything for granted…competing in athletics has taught her about patience and how to be mentally tough…would like to be a mother some day, and own her own restaurant.

Her thoughts:  Melissa came to Vanguard because of the softball team and the location.  She enjoys the small class sizes and family atmosphere.