Meet the USA Elite Training Pros
Proud to Have the Highest Caliber Coaching Staff in the Industry
Jennifer Hapanowicz
Coach Jennifer Hapanowicz – owner and founder of USA Elite Training LLC – has been instructing youth softball players of all ages throughout the New England region ( including CT, NH, NY. NJ. ME, RI) for the past 18 years. A highly accomplished collegiate player herself, Hapanowicz attended the University Of Rhode Island on a full athletic scholarship as a pitcher and first baseman. Utilizing over 18 years of experience in the softball and recruiting industry, Coach Hapanowicz has assisted in placing her clients in leading college athletic programs across the country including LSU, UMass, UConn, Stanford, Univ. Of Florida, Quinnipiac, Sacred Heart, Bryant Univ., Cornell Univ., Univ. of Central Florida, to name a few.
Coach Hapanowicz Gets Results:- An amazing 90% of her students go on to play at the collegiate level
- Numerous players under USA Elite’s tutelage have gone on to play on TOP 25 Collegiate Softball teams and have helped to lead their teams to NCAA Regionals.
- Coach Hapanowicz has trained CT Gatorade Player of the Year Award Winners ( 2003,2005,2007,2008,2009,2012)
- Her student have dominated the Connecticut State top ranks:
- Trained winning State Championship pitchers ( 2003-2012)
- Trained 2007 CIAC Player of the Year
- Trained numerous All –State, All – Area, and All League Players
- Coach Hapanowicz has sent pitchers to the prestigious Gold Coast FL Hurricanes Junior Olympic Travel Team
- Winner of the 2008 18U ASA Gold National Championship
- Coach Hapanowicz is a top level consultant
- Jen has been a consultant to college softball programs including Wesleyan University and the University of Hartford
- Jen has been the featured speaker at the 2010 CT High School Coaches Association’s Coaches Clinic
- Jen has been the featured speaker 2011-2013 World Softball Coaches’ Convention at Mohegan Sun Convention Center
- She has hosted coaches’ clinics throughout the New England area over the years to train local programs skills to excel in area of softball
Kim Gwydir - Hitting Director
Coach Gwydir was the Head Softball Coach at Florida International University for 10 years. In that time she took the Golden Panthers to several National Top 25 ranking and a regional appearance. Her teams were always known for their outstanding pitching. Her students have included young ladies who have gone on to play on the US and Canadian National Teams including a USA Gold Medal winner. During her time at FIU, Kim had many pitchers receive All-Conference honors. Coach Gwydir also received 4 Coach of the Year Awards and is a sought after clinician in the areas of pitching and hitting. In 2003, Coach Gwydir was inducted into the Suffolk County (NY) Sports Hall of Fame.
Currently, Kim is working with the Gold Coast Hurricanes Junior Olympic Organization (2008 ASA Gold National Champions). Before coming to USAElite, Kim was owner of “On The Rise Softball” instructional company in Broward County, FL.
Sam Keltos
Coach Sam Keltos has multiple years of coaching experience at the travel ball and collegiate level. She played four years at Lauralton Hall winning their first state championship as the game MVP. She continued her journey at the collegiate level as a four year starter at CCSU earning captain status her senior year. She currently is a manager at a corporate fitness center where she is certified as a Personal Trainer and Weight & Lifestyle Management Coach. She has a background in teaching classes of all levels and holds additional certifications in SPINNING, Pilates and Yoga as well as trainings in TRX, Zumba, ZumbAtomics, and Zumba Gold. Sam will teaching all aspects of the game of softball including pitching, hitting, and strength training at USA Elite Training.
BETSY HARVEY
Coach Betsy Harvey is a graduate of Farmington High School and a former student of Coach Jen Hapanowicz. She was a four-year starter for Farmington, where she played shortstop and pitched. She served as captain her junior and senior year, receiving All-Conference honors. Betsy received a scholarship to play at Sacred Heart University in Fairfield, CT. She started all four years at second base, lead the team in hitting her freshman season, and served as co-captain as a senior. In her senior season Betsy helped lead her team to win the Northeast Conference Tournament Championship where she was named to the All-Tournament Team. She then competed in the first round of the NCAA Regional Tournament facing the eventual National D1 Champion, University of Washington. Betsy will be teaching all aspects of the game at USA Elite including pitching, catching, hitting, and fielding.
Lauren Person
Coach Lauren Person was a standout All-State Pitcher at Rockville High School in Connecticut. She continued her collegiate career at Nichols College in Massachusetts where she was a 4 year starting pitcher, leading her team to the TCCC League Championship. Lauren is teaching all aspects of the game at USA Elite Training including pitching, catching, hitting, and fielding at USA Elite Training.
Nicole Shook
Coach Nicole Shook set Pennsylvania’s state record for career wins in high school with 84 wins. The record still stands. She went on to play at Muhlenberg College in Allentown, PA, where she was a four year Centennial Conference All Academic Team member and a District 2 Academic All American. She was a 2-year All Conference pitcher with an ERA of 1.03. In her senior year, she was the team captain and was named Muhlenberg College’s Female Athlete of the Year. She also received the NCAA Post Graduate Scholarship to pursue graduate studies. Coach Nicole, we be teaching all aspects of the game at USA Elite Training including pitching, catching, hitting, and fielding.
TRISHA SICLARI
Coach Trisha Siclari began her softball training at USA Elite from the age of 11 and continued through college. Trisha had a successful high school career at both Sacred Heart Academy and West Haven High School. Trisha played summer travel softball for 7 years. Trisha continued her playing career at Dean College, in Massachusetts, where she was the the starting 3rd baseman for two years. She was elected captain as a sophomore and was selected National Junior College 1st Team All New England and was awarded the Coaches’ Award. Trisha will teach all aspects of the game at USA Elite including pitching, catching, hitting, and fielding.
