Wayne State College Head Softball Coach Krista Wood has announced that Michelle Thille of Iowa Lakes Community College and Kylee Simpson of Iowa Western Community College have signed with Wayne State College to play softball for the Wildcats in the 2012-13 academic year. The two join six other players as members of the 2012 Wildcat recruiting class.
            Michelle Thille is a 5-1 second baseman who transfers to WSC from Iowa Lakes CC after playing two years of softball for the Lakers. She was a second team All-Conference selection this past season hitting .395 with eight doubles and five triples. In 2011, Thille was a First Team All-Conference and All-Region selection and was Second Team All-Academic. Prior to Iowa Lakes CC, Thille graduated from Santana High School in California where she was a four year starter in softball and a two year starter in field hockey. While at Santana HS she was named All-Conference three years and the team's best defensive player in 2008, 2009 and 2010 and helped guide team to 2009-10 second place CIF (California Interscholastic Federation) finish. 
            “Michelle is a great player, with a positive attitude and work ethic both on and off the field.” said Wood. “She is a solid middle infielder with great range. Michelle is a triple threat at the plate with her ability to slap, bunt, or swing from the left side of the plate. She is sure to be a spark in our infield, and will add many runs to our offensive lineup."
            Kylee Simpson is a 5-2 outfielder who comes to Wayne State from Iowa Western CC. This season Simpson earned All-Region XI honors while helping her team to a regional title and a 48-20 record while batting .314 with 69 hits, 41 runs scored and 38 RBI's. In 2011 she was named Academic All-Region XI First Team, NFCA All-American Scholar Athlete, All-Region XI First Team, NFCA All-Region First Team, NFCA All-American Second Team and NJCAA All-American Second Team. Simpson is a graduate of Riverside Poly High School in California where she was three year starter in softball. She was a four-time scholar athlete and was named Second Team All-Conference. In 2007 her softball team was Ivy League champs and in 2008 they finished third at the CIF. 
            “Kylee is an outstanding athlete and competitor who is driven to win both on and off the field,” remarked Wood. “With her speed and quickness she will be a huge threat at the plate as well as on the base path. Kylee brings an aggressive style to the game that will allow her to take charge in the outfield. Look for Kylee to be a great impact player for the Wildcats.”
            Wayne State College finished the 2012 season with a 28-23 record, finishing eighth in the Northern Sun Conference with a 13-13 league mark while qualifying for the NSIC Tournament.