Janet Olson, the head coach of the Athletics Gold 14U team, has an impressive resume.

She received an undergrad business degree and then an MBA both at Kennesaw State where she also starred on the softball team.

Today she’s the Director of Real Estate & Lease Administration at GoTo Foods, which is a franchisor of notable food brands such as Moe’s, McAlister’s, Schlotzsky’s Deli, Auntie Anne’s, Cinnabon, Carvel Ice Cream and Jamba Juice.

Impressive indeed, and she’s equally impressive in the fastpitch realm and half-jokingly says:

“But sometimes it feels like my full-time job is softball!”

And she’s doing a great job there, too, as the head coach of one of the dozen teams in the Athletics Gold – Tamborra organization.

Stacy Tamborra, who heads the nationally respected program, says of Olson:

“Janet does a phenomenal job building culture and true sisterhood amongst her team while still instilling greatness and excellence on the field.”

Last summer as a first year 14U team, the Athletics Gold – Tamborra/Olson team competed at PGF Nationals and also shined at another elite national tournament, being named as the No. 1 seed in the supplemental Power Pool at the Colorado Sparkler tourney, earning its way into the National Power Pool.

The Athletics also finished Top 5 at Atlanta Legacy, third overall at Scenic City and won the championship at Bolts 5 Star.

In the fall, the success kept coming as her team finished second in the Team NJ Clearwater Fall Classic and won the PGF SuperSelect Southern Fall championship (combined with players from Athletics Gold – Tamborra/Spencer 2029 while the older players from each team were playing high school varsity softball which is in the fall in Georgia).

The team’s winning is impressive, for sure, but there’s one aspect of the team in which this A’s Gold squad may be the national champion:

… having fun together.

This is a list of just some of the things Coach Olson’s team has done over the last two years at home in the Peach State and out on the road while playing the game:

• Creating a graffiti mural as a team (2023)
• Going to the Six Flags Fright Fest Fall (2024)
• Doing some surfing at Laguna Beach (Summer of 2025 while in California for PGF Nationals)
• Holding a team bonfire in Huntington Beach (Summer of 2025, also while at PGF Nationals)
• Zip lining in Colorado (Summer of 2025)
• Celebrating Christmas together with a team party (Winter of 2025).

And that’s just a small list of examples how Coach Olson unifies the team off the field as well as on.

The fun bonding experiences is a key reason why many elite prospects have decided to wear the instantly recognizable green, white and gold uniforms—they know that they’ll play at the highest levels of the sport and also have some cool experiences that come with it.

Jamie Smith, the mother of 2030 standout outfielder and slapper Hayden Smith, that team camaraderie is what drew them to the Athletics organization.

“When searching for a new team to call home,” she begins, “we had specific things in mind besides teams that play at the elite level. We were searching for a team that focused on unity and strong in team bonding.”

“While watching social media, Janet Olson’s team kept standing out. The team was always taking advantage of their time together at tournaments and the girls always seemed to have a great relationship on and off the field.”

“Janet makes sure these girls not only grow in the sport they love, but build strong friendships, too.

For a player and her family competing for Coach Olson, they get excited looking ahead to not just the competition on the field, but what fun they’ll have together as a team.

Here’s a closer look at the esteemed coach and her team with our exclusive Line Drive Q&A…

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When did the team/program start and how/why did it come to be? What makes the organization and team unique?

This organization focuses on true collaboration amongst coaches, building strong women and building the org from the ground up, giving back to younger teams in the org and investing in the next generation of female athletes.

We’ve had at numerous coaches from other teams come and help out at practices of and we have had numerous joint practices with younger and older teams.

This is our third year with Athletics Gold – Tamborra. I was inspired by Stacy Tamborra’s vision and wanted my girls to be a part of something special and something they can be proud of that they helped to build.

To play the game at the highest level with goals of playing in college is a common goal that is organization wide and we all hold each other accountable.

Stacy has done an amazing job of building a family-like environment where coaches have input and we all support each other throughout the organization

Where are you based?  Where do your athletes come from (all locally, some out of state?)

Two of our girls are from South Carolina and the remaining 12 are in Georgia, but we are spread out throughout the state.

What was the purpose of creating the team (showcase players, win titles, develop skills, etc.)? 

All of our girls have goals of playing at a high level and in college. We play all showcases and premier tournaments.

A large chunk of our girls were standouts on their previous teams in 10U and 12U, but they were for a little more competition, more showcases, and wanted to play at a high level. We have managed to put together the perfect group that gels on and off the field.

Credit has to go to one of our coaches, Mekhia Freeman, who also coaches one of our 18U teams and has been a huge part of our success by bringing high energy and fun to the field.

What do you think are the strengths of the team? 

We are an extremely versatile and scrappy group. We have several who can play multiple positions, and we perform our best in a high energy and fun atmosphere.

We push ourselves to compete against the best and we play our best when we are the underdog, playing up against teams who are older and better on paper.

Our pitchers are all big hitters who play other positions, our middle infielders can also play outfield, catch, and pitch, we have three of the best slappers in the country and two of the top catchers in the 2029 and 2030 class.

What’s your softball background and how did you get to the point of leading the team? And if there is one thing you would say that separates you from other club programs, what would it be?

I played all my life from 8U through college, and I have been coaching for 10 years now.

For me personally, there are very few moments I remember on the field; however, the memories I hold close are the road trips, hotel nights, team bonding, dinners, and all the special moments that happen when you put 14 girls together and travel around the country.

Ultimately, competing, getting our girls exposure, and getting better is our priority, but we put a huge emphasis on team bonding, cohesiveness, fun moments and making memories as well. The girls know that those moments are just a small part of it and we have to work hard and continue compete at the highest level.

Our parents are all bought in, which helps. It costs a lot of money to play our schedule with the travel, the hotels and all the expenses that come with it, but we get to see some pretty cool stuff along the way. And the girls do their part by competing every day.

Obviously its more than just having “fun”, but the fun is a very important part for our team. The amount of work and commitment that is needed to play at this level is only increasing each year and has become a requirement that causes a huge number to get burnt out and leave the game.

We want to do our part to make sure our girls continue to have fun and love the sport. Some may ultimately decide they don’t want to play at this level, and that’s fine too.

We coach to grow the game in the hopes these girls go on to play in college, some will coach and give back as well, but hopefully all of them will look back on these years having made amazing friendships, pushed themselves to compete and played at the highest level. Overall, our goal is to help these girls become better human beings.

What are some of the team-building activities you’re done together over the last year or two?

Some examples over the past few years of us prioritizing the fun include photo shoots, makeovers, attending the state fair, going to the Six Flags park, pool parties, being entertained by magicians, go-karting, team dinners, splatter painting, graffiti painting, bonfires, surfing, party bus trips, ziplining, water balloon fights, parent versus kids kickball, TopGolf, ice cream parties, banquets and cookouts!

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A Closer Look at the Players on the Team

Here’s a look at each player’s strengths sorted by grad year and then alphabetically.

#47 Keegan Angel MIF/OF (2029)
Will climb a wall or run through it to get the ball and will do it all with a smile. She’s pure athlete and can play anywhere. High energy and all out all the time.

#5 Sophia Blane – P/1B (2029)
Sophia is an elite lefty pitcher and power hitter. She will outwork anyone and always wants the ball. She bats in the middle of the lineup and is as clutch as they come. She’s pure grit and determination to succeed, party organizer and always fresh with the newest and coolest stuff!

#34 Cameron Crook – P/UT (2029)
Cameron is a true pitcher/utility. She plays mostly middle infield when she’s not pitching, but she can also play corners as well as the outfield. Cameron has excellent range and a smooth glove. Cameron shows us the moment is never too serious to laugh little and smile.

#4 Lindsey Desjarlais – OF/Slapper (2029)
Lindsey is a huge asset in the outfield and on offense. Lindsey’s ability to place the ball from the left side, whether a slap, a bunt or power slap is among the best in the 2029 class Lindsey is an amazing teammate and is a huge cheerleader for all of her teammates! She is the ultimate team mom as she takes care of her teammates and is extremely analytical.

#17 Rebecca Cunane – P/1B (2029)
The ultimate hype-man and homerun hitter! Rebecca is a triple threat as powerhouse hitter, corner player and pitcher! She loves to raise the energy for her teammates with her energy and her homeruns

#7 Wren Gaines – C/3B (2029)
Wren has a dominant presence on the field. She is an elite level catcher with a smooth glove at the corners, and a powerful bat. Wren’s versatility, strength and power make her a force on the field. Wren is one you want on your side and in your dugout. She has a fun and infectious personality, works hard, plays hard, and is the ultimate ride or die.

#25 Khylee Hanson – MIF/C (2029)
Khylee is as cool as a cucumber and is never intimidated. The moment is never too big for Khylee. She’s a middle infielder who can catch and loves to shine in the big moments,

#21 Hartley Hurt SS/UT (2029)
A showstopper, playmaker, and life of the party, she brings the energy everywhere! A stud middle infielder, power hitter who makes things happen. She adds a spark energy with fun and a smile on her face always!

#14 Layla Johnson 3B – 2029
New to our team but fits right in. Layla is an elite third baseman who gets to everything! She has a no-nonsense vibe and is quiet, competitive and fierce. She has the ultimate game face that is somewhat intimidating, but if you’re on her side, she’ll let loose and give you a smile. Also known for shopping and having all the coolest new gear

#13 Piper Rogers, IF/UT (2029)
Piper plays the infield corner positions, MIF, and OF. She is a true utility with great range and a smooth glove. When Piper is not on the softball field, she is working on her modeling career and recently walked the runway at NY Fashion Week. She is the definition of look good, feel good, play well.

#44 Kaelyn Utech OF/Slapper (2029)
Elite 2029 outfielder and slapper who can run down any ball, loves to be in the big moments, and is a triple threat offensively. Gets after it, tell her she can’t do something and she will show you she can, she has all the personality, the spunk, the energy, and brings the fun to every moment with a smile.

#26 Allie Gautney – C (2030)
Allie is an elite catcher and one of the best in the 14U age group as a 2030 grad and does a tremendous job of stealing strikes and blocking balls behind the plate. Offensively, Allie is one of our most consistent power hitters and is known for coming through in clutch moments. Allie is best known for her witty jokes and sense of humor. She can let loose and have fun with the best of them, but when it’s time to play, she’s all business and will go to war for any of her teammates.

#41 Addison Ozgo – P/1B (2030)
Power pitcher is an understatement. She’s the baby of the family only 2 days away from being a 2031. She’s brilliant with a quirky vibe that will lighten the mood and put a smile on your face with her one-liners and funny little comments. She’s a leader on the mound with her nasty movement and high velocity, but is everyone’s favorite kid sister that we all love

#10 Hayden Smith – OF/P/Slapper (2030)
Arguably the best slapper/outfielder in the 2030 class. Hayden is a quiet leader who shines as an outfielder, an offensive threat, and is a lefty spin pitcher as well.  Stressful situations bring out the best in her, and she’s always up for the challenge. Hayden has a calm demeanor but rises to every challenge. She’s a true gamer, an amazing teammate, and leader of all the dance routines