Three Northwest softball sophomores will continue their careers at the four-year level next season.
Infielder Kara Johnson signed with UT Martin earlier this month, after being committed to the Skyhawks for most of her sophomore season. Outfielder Madeline Houk and pitcher Neely Cooper also signed earlier in May, with Houk set to join the University of Mobile and Cooper joining Blue Mountain Christian University.
A native of Senatobia, Johnson is the third Ranger in as many seasons to ink with a Division I program. She leaves Northwest scattered throughout the program's record books, finishing tied for fourth in a single season for sacrifice flies (3) and tied for fourth in single-season stolen bases, successfully stealing 25 bases on 26 attempts. Johnson also finished in third for career stolen bases (47-49), fifth in total bases (156), tied for sixth in career home runs (12), tied for sixth in career sacrifice flies (4), sixth in most games played (90), seventh in career at-bats (261), eighth in career hits (96), ninth in RBIs (63) and ninth in career walks (28).
For the 2024 season, Johnson was the Rangers' third-leading hitter, batting .346 with six doubles, a triple, five home runs and 26 RBIs. She also stole 25 bases on 26 attempts.
Houk also concluded her Northwest career in the single-season and career record categories for sacrifice hits, tied for sixth with eight sacrifice hits in 2024 and tied for seventh in career sacrifice hits (11), joining Stormy Robison (2011-12) and Brittni Beard (2019-20). The Pell City, Ala. native is just the second Ranger to join the softball program at Mobile and the first since Ally Judkins (2018).
Cooper also leaves Northwest in several single-season and career record categories, including 100 strikeouts for the 2024 season, ranking 10th. The Florence native made 26 appearances this season, finishing tied for ninth, as well as fifth in innings pitched (136.0). Cooper also ranks ninth in career strikeouts (126), ninth in innings pitched (165.1) and tied for 10th in career shutouts (2).
Since taking over as the Rangers' head coach prior to the 2020 season, Chelsea Bramlett has sent 15 players to four-year programs. Northwest finished with a 27-20 overall record this season, earning a trip to the NJCAA Region 23 Tournament for the fourth straight season.
