WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. – Salem softball head coach Kierston Garner was named as a Sue Enquist scholarship recipient on Thursday, August 13, and will be attending the True North Sports Coach Development Academy, which begins on the week of August 18th.
Garner, a 2016 Salem graduate with a bachelor of arts in psychology and a minor in coaching, was named as head coach in the fall of 2018 following the departure of her mentor Scott Long. She went onto guide the Spirits to a 25-17 mark, winning 10 of 17 games in the USA South Conference in her first year at the helm. Salem reached the league tournament, winning two of three games in the opening series against Greensboro, before posting back-to-back wins against Piedmont and Meredith on April 26, 2019.
Garner's 2020 unit finished the campaign with a 9-5 mark before the COVID-19 virus halted the season. The season was highlighted by a nine-game winning streak, which tied the 2017 team for the longest in program history.
During her playing career at Salem, Garner was a lifetime .416 hitter, starting in 147 of the 149 games in which she played. She finished with 184 hits, including 41 doubles and 30 home runs, while driving in 138 RBI and scoring 95 runs—which places her atop each of the respective categories among the program's career leaders.
"I am incredibly honored to have received such a powerful scholarship," said Garner. "I have to give a huge shout out to Salem Director of Athletics Trish Hughes for helping to provide the opportunity to work with a great organization. I look forward to working with some great role models in the sport community and being able to build my own personal development to provide the best opportunities for my team in the future."
Sue Enquist spent her playing and coaching career at UCLA, helping guide the Bruins to the 1978 Women's College World Series title—the first in program history. The first All-American softball player in UCLA history, Enquist joined the coaching staff in 1980. After spending nine years as an assistant under Sharron Backus, Enquist was named co-head coach alongside Backus from 1989-96.
Upon Backus' retirement, Enquist was elevated to head coach and held that title from 1997-2006 and amassed a record of 887-175-1, marking the highest winning percentage (.835) among any coach with at least 800 wins. Enquist led the Bruins to 11 national championships over the course of her career and is a member of four Hall of Fames, including the National Fastpitch Coaches Association Hall of Fame.
True North Sports provides innovative educational programs for coaches and athletes that build the people and leadership skills necessary to experience success and significance in their role within the team experience. It is dedicated to working with coaches of all sports to find their unique True North and to coach from that place inside of themselves. True North programs offers classes on management, leadership and communication skills needed to be an effective coach.
For more information on Salem athletics check out www.salemspirits.com.