Event Preview: Top Gun Invitational Kicks Off Thursday with 300-Plus Teams in Shawnee, Kansas
By Brentt Eads
June 12, 2024
Event Preview: Top Gun Invitational Kicks Off Thursday with 300-Plus Teams in Shawnee, Kansas
The Top Gun Invitational, considered one of the elite travel ball events of the Summer, begins tomorrow (Thurs. June 13) in Shawnee, Kan. and will run through Sunday (June 16, 2024)
This year’s tournament will feature 310 teams with 214 in the Maverick division and another 96 in the Viper division. The Top Gun Invitational will include ages 18U, 16U, 14U and 12U competition.
In today’s preview, we list all the teams that will compete over the next five days in Kansas City in their respective Division Pools.
How good is this year’s array of teams?
Robb Behymer, head of Top Gun, is excited about the lineup of talent that will attend this summer.
“This year’s field is the strongest to date,” he says. “This is one of the most impressive lists of teams that I have seen here at Top Gun Invitational since I started.”
He believes that the caliber of quality talent has a wide-ranging impact… and not just in softball.
“The talent and competition coming into Kansas City during the Top Gun Invite will certainly prove why interest in female sports is on the rise,” Robb continues, “especially in the Midwest. These athletes and coaches keep raising their competitiveness and talent levels.”
Here are the complete Maverick pool lineups for the 18U, 16U, 14U and 12U age divisions…
*****
18U Top Gun Maverick Pools
| Pool | Team | ST | Coach |
| A | TC Colorado, Gold Robbins/King (CO) | CO | Kelly Berry |
| A | IL Nationals Brzezinski | IL | Larry Brzezinski |
| A | MN Force George | MN | Jenna George |
| A | PA Strikers, National King (PA) | PA | Kimberly King |
| A | South Dakota Renegades, McDougall (SD) | SD | Nichole Mohning |
| A | Voodoo, Gold Rhinehart (WA) | WA | Clint Rhinehart |
| B | Arizona Storm, Westover (AZ) | AZ | Rob Westover |
| B | Finesse Fastpitch, National Peters (MI) | MI | Steve Peters |
| B | Top Gun, 24/25 National (MO) | MO | Ishmael Vasquez |
| B | Ohio Hawks, Harbold (OH) | OH | Tom Harbold |
| B | Unity, National Betsa/Hebert (TX) | TX | Megan Betsa |
| B | Batbusters, Colorado 18U National (CO) | CO | Joe Smith |
| C | Sparks Softball, Tholl (IL) | IL | Joe Tholl |
| C | Hotshots, Premier AP (TX) | TX | Ed Naudin |
| C | Indiana Magic Gold, National Gerth (IN) | IN | Matt Gerth |
| C | USA Athletics, Gold (CA) | CA | Mike Rogers |
| C | Nebraska Gold, National Neumayer (NE) | NE | Eric Neumayer |
| C | Ohio Outlaws , National Shepherd (OH) | OH | Timothy Shepherd |
| D | Impact Caymol, Caymol (GA) | GA | mateo caymol |
| D | Rhode Island Thunder, National Lotti (MA) | MA | Joseph |
| D | Lady Lightning Gold, LLGDPS Corn (NC) | NC | John Corn |
| D | Nebraska Gold, National Singleton (NE) | NE | Beth Singleton |
| D | Epic Fastpitch, National Smith (OK) | OK | Scotty Smith |
| D | Texas Riptide, Premier Campbell (TX) | TX | Sam Campbell |
| E | Birmingham Thunderbolts, 2025 Kemp (AL) | AL | Rocky Thompson |
| E | Rock Gold, Manetta (FL) | FL | Johnny Manetta |
| E | Select Fastpitch, Jones (KS) | KS | Eric Jones |
| E | Georgia Impact, Sampson (GA) | GA | Eric Masterson |
| E | Top Gun, National Turner (MO) | MO | Bob Turner |
| E | Oklahoma Athletics, National Madden/Clemmer (OK) | OK | Jarod Wells |
| E | Hotshots, National Jones (TX) | TX | Bill Jones |
| E | Unity, Johnson/Ricks (VA) | VA | Josh Johnson |
| F | D1vision Softball , D1V (LA) | LA | Crystal Tarango |
| F | Ohio Hawks, Joseforsky (OH) | OH | Julie Joseforsky |
| F | VA Glory, National Willemssen (VA) | VA | Suzy Willemssen |
| F | Power Surge Softball, Elite Walling (CA) | CA | Scott Berdness |
| F | Tampa Mustangs, Affrunti (FL) | FL | Patt Affrunti |
| F | Atlanta Vipers, Gold Colvin (GA) | GA | Selena Collins-Patterson |
| G | Texas Sudden Impact, Leach (TX) | TX | Todd Leach |
| G | Colorado Stars, Sakamoto (CO) | CO | scott sakamoto |
| G | Tulsa Elite, National Cain/Jobe (AR) | AR | Eric Jaramillo |
| G | Arizona Storm, Premier Walding (AZ) | AZ | Chris Walding |
| G | California Grapettes, Gold Kappmeyer (CA) | CA | Chris Kappmeyer |
| G | Team North Carolina, Baylog/Tracy (NC) | NC | Bill Baylog |
| H | Vision, Gold Derryberry (AR) | AR | Erica Derryberry |
| H | Arizona Storm, Downes (AZ) | AZ | Seth Isaacson |
| H | So Cal Athletics, 2024 National (CA) | CA | Kostas Maranakis |
| H | Sarasota Heat, Gold dover (FL) | FL | marcus dover |
| H | Building Champions, National Peppers/Wallace (KS) | KS | Jeff Wallace |
| H | Tri-State Thunder, Premier Cutchall | MD | Melissa Cutchall |
*****
16U Top Gun Maverick Pools
| POOL | Team | ST | Coach |
| A | Impact Gold, Vaughn/Jazz (TX) | TX | Jazz Jackson Vesely |
| A | Carolina Elite, National Fusetti (SC) | SC | Dana Fusetti |
| A | USA Athletics, Rogers/Mathis (CA) | CA | Mike Rogers |
| A | Tampa Mustangs, Bell (FL) | FL | Jennifer Boucher |
| A | Beverly Bandits, Premier Hardin (IL) | IL | Bill Conroy |
| A | Top Gun, National Davis-Shanks(STL) (MO) | MO | Randi Davis-Shanks |
| B | LK Black Hawaii, Danz (HI) | HI | Josh Danz |
| B | Colorado Stars, Gold deThouars (CO) | CO | Robert deThouars |
| B | Atlanta Vipers, Premier Maldonado (GA) | GA | Selena Collins-Patterson |
| B | BSC Bengals, Nichols (CA) | CA | Dave Nichols |
| B | Sparks Softball, Premier Harvey (IL) | IL | Jill Harvey |
| B | Building Champions, Peppers/Wallace (KS) | KS | Jeff Wallace |
| C | Wasco Diamonds, Premier Mahaffy (IL) | IL | Tim Mahaffy |
| C | MN Force, Premier Standering (MN) | MN | lisa bernstein |
| C | Nebraska Gold, deMontel (NE) | NE | Jimmy deMontel |
| C | Lady Dukes, Perkins/Lamar (TN) | TN | Jamaria Perkins |
| C | USA Athletics, Lehr (CA) | CA | Michelle Lehr |
| C | TC Colorado, Gold Magaro (CO) | CO | Kelly Berry |
| D | Corona Angels, Howard (CA) | CA | Kim Howard |
| D | Select Fastpitch, Woelbel (MO) | MO | Ed Woelbel |
| D | Tampa Mustangs, TAMPA MUSTANGS FOWLER (FL) | FL | Kyle Fowler |
| D | Epic Fastpitch, National Lewis (OK) | OK | Jeremy Lewis |
| D | Hotshots, Premier Naudin (TX) | TX | Ed Naudin |
| D | Tennessee Mojo, Mojo-Lewis ’08 (GA) | GA | Brittany Lewis |
| D | Nebraska Gold, National Butler/Jarose (NE) | NE | Justin Jarose |
| D | Firecrackers Leles, Leles (CA) | CA | Madeline Miller |
| E | OC Batbusters, Lara (CA) | CA | Clay Lara |
| E | Birmingham Thunderbolts, Premier Thompson (AL) | AL | Rocky Thompson |
| E | Beverly Bandits, Premier Moran (IN) | IN | Bill Conroy |
| E | Top Gun, National (MO) | MO | Joe Sciara |
| E | Tennessee Mojo , National Wade (TN) | TN | Jason Wade |
| E | Unity, National 2026 (VA) | VA | Josh Johnson |
| E | Georgia Impact, Taylor (GA) | GA | Derek Rackley |
| E | BSC Bengals, Briggs R (CA) | CA | Kim Denhart |
| F | Oklahoma Athletics, National MADDEN/DAVIS (OK) | OK | Cornelius Davis |
| F | Hotshots, National Nelson (TX) | TX | Nathan Nelson |
| F | Lady Lightning Gold, LLG Elite Corn (NC) | NC | John Corn |
| F | Arizona Storm, Premier Thies (AZ) | AZ | Dave Thies |
| F | Firecrackers, Premier RTY (CA) | CA | Taketoshi Yuge |
| F | Impact Premier Sullivan (GA) | GA | Daniel Sullivan |
| G | Oklahoma Athletics, National Madden/Knight (OK) | OK | Frank Knight |
| G | Impact Caymol, caymol (GA) | GA | Mateo Caymol |
| G | Rock Gold, Manetta (FL) | FL | Johnny Manetta |
| G | Power Surge Softball, Elite Walling (CA) | CA | Scott Berdness |
| G | Indiana Magic Gold, National Moore (IN) | IN | Andrew Moore |
| G | Rhode Island Thunder, National Lotti (MA) | MA | Joseph Coupal |
| H | Fury , Premier Moyer/Perry (TN) | TN | Keith Perry |
| H | Hotshots, Premier Knight (TX) | TX | Nathan Nelson |
| H | Tulsa Elite, National 26/27 (AR) | AR | Sherry Childers |
| H | Arizona Storm, Elite Sheehan (AZ) | AZ | Mike Sheehan |
| H | Universal Fastpitch, Macias (CA) | CA | Brandi Macias |
| H | Nebraska National, National Taylor (NE) | NE | Brett Taylor |
| J | Firecrackers, Vines (CA) | CA | Brooke Vines |
| J | Premier Fastpitch, National Paulson (IL) | IL | Dan Paulson |
| J | So Cal Athletics, Gold JAMES (FL) | FL | Chris James |
| J | Select Fastpitch, National Bower (KS) | KS | Jeff Bower |
| J | Beverly Bandits , Premier Freeland (MI) | MI | Bill Conroy |
| J | Lady Dukes, Gold Torres (NJ) | NJ | Milvia Torres |
| K | Epic Fastpitch, National Frizzell (OK) | OK | Gary Frizzell |
| K | Nebraska Gold, National Perkins (NE) | NE | Jennifer Trevarrow |
| K | Texas Unity, Smith (TX) | TX | Gary A Smith |
| K | I-5 Softball, Snyder (CA) | CA | Jared Snyder |
| K | Nationals, Garner/Kennedy (NC) | NC | Donna Thompson |
| K | Outlaws, National Shepherd (OH) | OH | Timothy Shepherd |
| L | Virginia Unity, Meadows/Johnson (FL) | FL | Cory Meadows |
| L | Top Gun, Burt (KY) | KY | Codey Burt |
| L | D1vision Softball , D1V (LA) | LA | Crystal Tarango |
| L | All American Sports Academy, Merrida/Bryson (CA) | CA | Niki Bryson |
| L | Atlanta Vipers, Premier White (GA) | GA | Selena Collins-Patterson |
| L | Select Fastpitch, Alvarado (MO) | MO | Matt Alvarado |
| M | Finesse Fastpitch, National Hoverman (MI) | MI | Matt Hoverman |
| M | Originals, Moss (MO) | MO | Cassie Soper |
| M | PA Strikers, Augustus (PA) | PA | Jordyn Augustus |
| M | Oklahoma Athletics, National Madden/Brown (OK) | OK | Mickey Brown |
| M | Team San Diego, DeBus (CA) | CA | Eddie DeBus |
| M | Team NC, Bowman (NC) | NC | Brian Bowman |
*****
14U Top Gun Maverick Pools
POOL | Team | ST | Coach |
A | Originals, Campbell (MO) | MO | Melissa Beard |
A | Colorado Angels, 09 (CO) | CO | John Waller |
A | Mission, Elite Gavin (MN) | MN | Nikki Caicedo |
A | Top Gun, Rains (MO) | MO | Angie Rains |
A | Storm, Prime Bachman (NE) | NE | Cory Bachman |
A | Gametime Stars, Gold Rollins (OK) | OK | Jeremy Rollins |
B | Colorado Stars Ruiz (CO) | CO | Fermin Ruiz |
B | Top Gun, Graf (MO) | MO | Brian Graf |
B | Finesse Fastpitch, Regional McBrayer (OH) | OH | Andy McBrayer |
B | Impact Gold, Gold Cantu (TX) | TX | Oscar Cantu |
B | MN Force, Paaverud (MN) | MN | lisa bernstein |
B | Wasco Diamonds, Hughes (IL) | IL | Joseph Hughes |
C | Hotshots, Premier Valtier (TX) | TX | Ed Naudin |
C | NW Grapettes, Olmstead (WA) | WA | Jeff Olmstead |
C | Epic Fastpitch, Premier Flynn (OK) | OK | Brion Hitt |
C | Building Champions, Peppers/Wallace (KS) | KS | Jeff Wallace |
C | Batbusters, Colorado 14 Gold – Keiter (CO) | CO | Zach Keiter |
C | Black Widows, Burris (IL) | IL | Bret Burris |
D | Top Gun, Strange (MO) | MO | Jeff Strange |
D | California Grapettes, DePerio (CA) | CA | Chris Kappmeyer |
D | Finesse Fastpitch, National Pratt (OH) | OH | Kevin Pratt |
D | Select Fastpitch, Zagozda (KS) | KS | Scott Sparks |
D | Oklahoma Athletics, Premier Lampkin (OK) | OK | Cornelius Davis |
D | Lady Dukes, Gold Torres (NJ) | NJ | Juan Torres |
E | Impact Caymol, Caymol (GA) | GA | Mateo Caymol |
E | Rhode Island Thunder, Lotti (MA) | MA | Joseph |
E | Texas Unity, Smith (TX) | TX | Gary Smith |
E | St. Louis Chaos, National Perone (MO) | MO | Phil Perone |
E | Nebraska Gold, Gold Gillis (NE) | NE | Makenzie Musgrove |
E | Oklahoma Athletics, National Madden/Ashbaugh (OK) | OK | Jack Ashbaugh |
F | BSC Bengals, Gold Briggs (CA) | CA | Kim Denhart |
F | Birmingham Thunderbolts, Alford/Rocky (AL) | AL | Rocky Thompson |
F | Georgia Impact, Premier O’Neal (GA) | GA | Chad O\’Neal |
F | Select Fastpitch, Reliford (MO) | MO | Scott Sparks |
F | Epic Fastpitch, National Davis (OK) | OK | Trey Kimble |
F | Nebraska Gold, National Swift (NE) | NE | Mitch Kampbell |
F | Top Gun, National Kim (MO) | MO | Stephanie Kim |
F | Unity, Amsler/Johnson (VA) | VA | Josh Johnson |
G | USA Athletics, Rogers/Mathis (CA) | CA | Mike Rogers |
G | Atlanta Vipers, Lynch (GA) | GA | Caitlin Colvin |
G | Select Fastpitch, Waters (KS) | KS | Scott Sparks |
G | Top Gun, National Velotta (KY) | KY | Mike Velotta |
G | Hotshots, Premire Olguin (TX) | TX | Ed Naudin |
G | Epic Fastpitch, National Smith (OK) | OK | Scotty Smith |
H | Select Fastpitch, Dragon (MO) | MO | Scott Sparks |
H | Top Gun, 2028 Cruz (IN) | IN | Jeff Cruz |
H | Lady Lightning Gold, Futures Wools (NC) | NC | Tony Wools |
H | Heartland Havoc, 09 (IL) | IL | Brian Maraden |
H | Ohio Hawks, National King/Joseforsky (OH) | OH | Kevin King |
H | Impact Caymol, Knox (GA) | GA | Mateo Caymol |
I | Top Gun, Select Grenia (MO) | MO | Brian Grenia |
I | Impact Gold, Soliz (TX) | TX | Pete Soliz |
I | Unity, Sifrit (VA) | VA | Troy Sifrit |
I | Sparks Softball (IL) | IL | Tom |
I | Oklahoma Athletics, Premier Zodrow (OK) | OK | Sharee Maggard |
I | Indiana Magic Gold, National Estes (IN) | IN | Michael Estes |
J | Atlanta Vipers, Futures Crenshaw (GA) | GA | Selena Collins-Patterson |
J | Select Fastpitch, Select Adams (KS) | KS | Scott Sparks |
J | Top Gun, ’10 (KY) | KY | Joey Hatfield |
J | Nebraska Gold, Gold Michaelis (NE) | NE | Kelli Waller |
J | Game Time Stars, National Osuna (OK) | OK | Raymundo Osuna |
J | Sparks Softball, Hochgraber (IL) | IL | Kimberly Hochgraber |
K | Originals, Bainbridge (MO) | MO | Lincoln Bainbridge |
K | Colorado Stars, Glaza (CO) | CO | Todd Glaza |
K | Millard Fury Gold, Vance (NE) | NE | Mark Vance |
K | R.O.I. Fastpitch, Hull (MO) | MO | Susan Kessler |
K | Diamond Express, Zajac (TX) | TX | Misty Bryant |
K | Fusion, Unruh/Hobgood (IN) | IN | Brad Hobgood |
*****
12U Top Gun Maverick Pools
POOL | Team | ST | Coach |
A | Batbusters, (CO) | CO | Jeff Holt |
A | Select Fastpitch, Gamet (KS) | KS | Brandon Adams |
A | Synergy Softball Organization, Futures Clurman (KS) | KS | Cameron Clurman |
A | Team Kansas, Brown/Hays (KS) | KS | Sheena M Brown |
A | Top Gun, Regional McGee (MO) | MO | Mark McGee |
A | TBD | TBD | |
B | Carbon Valley Coyotes, Premier Cardenas (CO) | CO | Wes Cardenas |
B | Iowa Premier Fastpitch, Premier Sandstoe (IA) | IA | Kim Sandstoe |
B | Sparks Softball, Drew (IL) | IL | Timothy Drew |
B | Indiana Magic Gold, Developmental Fritsche (IN) | IN | AJ Fritsche |
B | Select Fastpitch, Jones (KS) | KS | Scott Sparks |
B | Top Gun, Gallaway (MO) | MO | Jimmy Gallaway |
B | Nebraska Gold, National Raabe (NE) | NE | Emma Raabe |
B | Louisville Lady Sluggers , Fryberger (MO) | MO | Mike Fryberger |
C | Millard Fury Gold, Ethen (NE) | NE | JJ Whitten |
C | Nebraska WAVE, Gold Kroll (NE) | NE | Jeremiah Kroll |
C | Epic Fastpitch, Regional Bond (OK) | OK | Eric Bond |
C | Colorado Stars, (CO) | CO | Daniel Mikelson |
C | Select Fastpitch, Carr (KS) | KS | Scott Sparks |
C | Select Fastpitch, Heinrich (KS) | KS | Scott Sparks |
C | STL Swing, 2012 (MO) | MO | Derek Belz |
C | Nebraska Gold 515, Quick (IA) | IA | Jay Quick |
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