Courtesy of Kent State Athletics
KENT, Ohio – Head Coach Karen Linder announced that one of the most accomplished players in the storied history of Kent State softball, Jessica Toocheck (’08), will join her staff as an assistant coach on Monday (July 13) afternoon. Toocheck returns to the Golden Flashes program after a five-year head coaching tenure at nearby Medina High School.
“I am extremely excited to bring Jessica back into our program as part of our coaching staff,” Linder said. “She was one of the most competitive student-athletes that I have ever coached. I think her intensity, competitiveness and spirit will be assets to our team. Jessica has been very successful as a head coach at the high school level, and that experience is going to benefit her greatly. Additionally, I think being aware of the Kent State tradition and having such a positive connection with our alumni is also going to bring a lot to our program.”
Toocheck took over the softball program of her high school alma mater in 2011 after serving as an assistant coach for two seasons. After winning just 10 games in her first season, Toocheck’s teams combined for an 88-30 record over the past four seasons. The 2012 Medina Gazette Spring Coach of the Year led the Bees to a 24-5 mark and the state semifinals for the first time in school history the following season. She followed with a regional championship appearance in 2013 and the program’s first conference title since 2003 in 2014.
While at Medina, Toocheck was instrumental in the development of a handful of players who continued their careers at the collegiate level, including Kent State rising sophomore Vanessa Scoarste.
“It’s an honor to be able to come back to Kent State,” Toocheck said. “I’ve tried to find different ways to give back to a program that gave me a lot and it is a great opportunity to be a part of the coaching staff. Being a head coach allowed me to gain experience in a lot of different areas and will allow me to assist Coach Linder in all the ways she needs.”
As a player, Toocheck was a three-time All-Mid-American Conference first team, two-time NFCA All-Mideast Region second team and two-time MAC all-tournament team selection and she ranks among the top five in several categories in Kent State’s record book, including batting average, hits, runs scored, RBIs, home runs and walks.
Her brilliant collegiate career was capped by being named MAC Player of the Year and First Team Academic All-America as a senior in 2008. Toocheck batted .342 with 12 home runs and 48 RBI, which tied the school record at the time.
Beyond the individual accolades, Toocheck’s competitiveness was key in the Flashes establishing themselves as the team to beat in the MAC. She was part of a senior class that won 135 games, which is a program record. During her four years on campus, Kent State made a pair of NCAA Regional appearances while capturing two regular season conference titles and three East Division crowns. In 2008, the Flashes won a school-record 46 games to eclipse the 30-win mark for the third consecutive year.
After graduating from Kent State, Toocheck played professionally for two seasons with the Akron Racers.
