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LAFAYETTE ― First baseman Bree Johnson recalled the first time she met her future assistant coach and mentor Annie Dooley as a 6-year-old, beginning her introduction into competitive sports.
Dooley, a former West Lafayette softball player herself, put the aluminum t-ball bat in Johnson's hands and began swinging away, not realizing where the friendship would take either player or coach.
Johnson had Dooley by her side as she broke the West Lafayette RBIs school record Thursday. The previous record of 105 was set by her close friend Adrianne Tolen, a 2024 graduate. Johnson is now at 106.
"She taught me to not be so narrow minded, open up and have fun," said Johnson of Dooley.
More: West Lafayette softball achieves milestone mark as underclassmen blossom
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The moment was made even more special because Johnson's mother, Shelby Johnson, is an assistant principal at West Lafayette and was a staff advisor for leadership clubs Dooley is part of.
Johnson has had Dooley there through her milestone achievements in soccer and softball, both good and bad. Johnson broke an orbital bone in her face during her sophomore year playing soccer and wore a protective mask during basketball season.
Whatever the case, win or lose, Dooley has been there for Johnson. The record of 106 RBIs and counting is a byproduct of that.
"Since her sophomore year, she has been the masked marauder across all the sports," Dooley said. "She's one of the best hitters that's come through this program. The fact that it's her best friend and mentor ahead of her makes it even cooler that that's how the torch passes."
Ethan Hanson is the sports reporter for the Journal & Courier in Lafayette. He can be reached at [email protected], on Twitter at EthanAHanson and Instagram at ethan_a_hanson.
This article originally appeared on Lafayette Journal & Courier: West Lafayette RBIs softball record belongs to Bree Johnson
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Dooley, a former West Lafayette softball player herself, put the aluminum t-ball bat in Johnson's hands and began swinging away, not realizing where the friendship would take either player or coach.
Johnson had Dooley by her side as she broke the West Lafayette RBIs school record Thursday. The previous record of 105 was set by her close friend Adrianne Tolen, a 2024 graduate. Johnson is now at 106.
"She taught me to not be so narrow minded, open up and have fun," said Johnson of Dooley.
More: West Lafayette softball achieves milestone mark as underclassmen blossom
More: Who are the top five Lafayette area softball teams midway through 2025? Our power rankings
The moment was made even more special because Johnson's mother, Shelby Johnson, is an assistant principal at West Lafayette and was a staff advisor for leadership clubs Dooley is part of.
Johnson has had Dooley there through her milestone achievements in soccer and softball, both good and bad. Johnson broke an orbital bone in her face during her sophomore year playing soccer and wore a protective mask during basketball season.
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Whatever the case, win or lose, Dooley has been there for Johnson. The record of 106 RBIs and counting is a byproduct of that.
"Since her sophomore year, she has been the masked marauder across all the sports," Dooley said. "She's one of the best hitters that's come through this program. The fact that it's her best friend and mentor ahead of her makes it even cooler that that's how the torch passes."
Ethan Hanson is the sports reporter for the Journal & Courier in Lafayette. He can be reached at [email protected], on Twitter at EthanAHanson and Instagram at ethan_a_hanson.
This article originally appeared on Lafayette Journal & Courier: West Lafayette RBIs softball record belongs to Bree Johnson
Continue reading...
