RANKINGS
EVENTS
I COMMITTED
COLLEGE
ABOUT
There are some good things happening in the Top Gun organization based in the Midwest and the 18U National team led by Bob Turner is certainly one to watch in 2020-21.
“This group, in my opinion, was a top 20 team in the 2020 season based upon their great performances against top 25 teams in the Extra Innings Rankings,” says Coach Turner.
The team is led by Oregon-committed pitcher/hitter Allison Benning who had a great summer in the circle and at the plate. She is one of eight seniors who are all committed to play at the next level.
Here’s a closer look at the team with insights from Coach Turner:
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When did the team/program start and how/why did it come to be?
Our team began in 2012 as an independent team called the KC Storm. After four years as one of the top independent teams in our region, we joined the Top Gun Organization at first year 14’s.
Top Gun was formed in the Fall of 2016, as a way of developing an organization that truly puts the student-athlete first and has since seen more than 90 student-athletes commit to college to play softball while pursuing their academic goals. What started with six teams, has since grown to 17 teams, and now has players from 11 states.
Where are you based and where do your athletes come from?
The organization is based in the greater Kansas City area; however, our players come from all over. Our National teams have players from Nevada, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri, Tennessee, Indiana, Illinois, Iowa, Nebraska and Minnesota.
What was the purpose of creating the team… was it to showcase players, win titles, develop skills?
The purpose of our team and organization is to provide a tremendously challenging environment that would develop the kids athletically, while also ensuring growth and development in the classroom, and as young people. We’ve been able to do that effectively, while showcasing our players, and competing at the highest levels of the game.
What have been some of your successes in terms of winning or placing at events?
In 2020, we experienced a great season of growth and performance. 54-22-4 playing the top competition across the country, including 24 games against the top 80 teams from Extra Innings 16U Pre-Season Rankings (12 of those against teams in the top 26, in which we went 5-5-2 against those teams).
Some of the event results are highlighted below:
- Bolts 5-Star (Fall): 3-2 and 2nd in our pool. Wins over OK Athletics Premier Yeatts (#13 in EI Rankings), EC Bullets Heggood/Backes, and OC Batbusters Lastrapes (#48 in EI Rankings).
- Top Gun Memorial Day Encore: 5-2 and in final 4 of bracket, when it was rained out.
- Top Club Spring Invite: 6-1-1 and finished 5th, with only loss in ITB to the #40 team in Extra Innings Pre-Season Rankings.
- Tulsa Elite Invite: 5-1-1 (no bracket), lost a hard fought 4-2 game to TX Glory Naudin #12 in Extra Innings 16U Preseason Rankings.
- PGF Independence Day Invitational: 2nd Place, losing championship 3-1 to GA Impact Jeffreys-Townsend (#18 in Extra Innings Rankings). Went 3-1 in bracket to get to the final, defeating Beverly Bandits JT (#25 in EI Rankings), Beverly Bandits Premier Allen (#26 in EI Rankings), and GA Impact – Gusaeff/O’Neal (#16 in EI Rankings).
- Atlanta Legacy: 5-1-1 to win our pool (no bracket). Wins over Atlanta Vipers, Michigan Finesse, EC Bullets. Tied GA Impact Jeffery’s Townsend in a well-played 2-2 game.
- USA Gold Nationals: 6-2 to finish 9th. Another top 10 finish in a loaded event, with wins over OK Athletics Premier, DS Hotshots, and Impact Gold. 2 losses came to teams that finished 3rd and 7th
What makes the organization unique, in your opinion?
I believe it’s our family-oriented culture. We have a tremendous retention rate of our student-athletes, which we attribute to many factors, some of which are listed below:
- We genuinely care about them as people and ask them to do the same for each other
- We expect a strong positive culture in our dugouts that people want to be a part of
- We surround outstanding student-athletes with other outstanding student-athletes
What’s your softball background and how did you get to the point of leading the team?
I grew up on a baseball field, played multiple sports at a high level, and was a college basketball player. After college, I coached college basketball for a few years, before getting into softball. My wife and I started coaching together after she concluded her collegiate career as a pitcher, which is where we began our run with this team.
How many teams are there in the organization overall?
We are now up to 17 and still growing.
Has there been a key moment or defining experience in the team’s history?
I would say the additions to our team in the fall of 2019. We added big time pitching and catching to the already strong returning group, which set the stage for an outstanding 2020 season.
What is your primary focus or goal with this team?
All of our 2021’s are committed D1 to the following schools: Oregon, four to Florida International, Stephen F. Austin, Fairleigh Dickinson, and North Dakota. We will continue our focus on getting our 2022’s committed and assisting all of our kids in maximizing their preparation for college. Our goal will be to send this group of talented 2021’s out with a national championship in 2021.
What do you think are the strengths of the team?
There are several, but I believe it truly starts with the chemistry of the group. Incredible kids make for a fun dugout of teammates that all support each other 100 percent. In addition, our pitching and defense are spectacular, but we also possess a nice blend of speed and power.
If there is one thing you would say that separates you from other club programs, what would it be?
Culture… hands down, this group really cares for and supports one another on and off the field. No doubt in my mind, this group will remain close long after their softball careers have ended.
Your quote about this being a top 20 club this year… what is it about your program that makes it be a top organization?
We have been an organization for only four full years now, but we have seen 90 kids commit to college to play softball under Top Gun.
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Below is a player-by-player look at the Top Club 18U team with player comments from Coach Turner.
Scroll down to read more about the 2022’s and the seven 2021 standouts, all of whom are committed!