NHTI Athletic Hall of Fame
Poised performer! Shalynn was a very sweet, smiling and powerful athlete in every conceivable manner here at NHTI. A dominant pitcher on the mound for our Capitals (now Lynx), Shalynn was a two-sport NHTI athlete as she was also a member of our spring volleyball team.
Shalynn arrived at NHTI after graduating from Fellowship Christian High School in Lawrence, Mass. Her high school added softball during her senior season but until that point, Shalynn pitched for a Babe Ruth league team leading them to a State Championship. Her arsenal of pitches included a fastball, a tricky changeup and great control that normally would attract a slew of college coaches. Our NHTI coaches discovered Shalynn at a recruiting Showcase and the connection was made.
A campus tour followed the Showcase and a pitching workout with Coach Deb Smith and Assistant Coach Art Ellis left the coaches dreaming of a successful season ahead. She arrived at NHTI very quietly but left her mark on the softball program.
Interestingly, the Boston Globe wrote a feature article on Shalynn that was published on Thursday, May 23, 2002 in their sports section along with an action picture of her. NHTI was mentioned multiple times in the article.
At NHTI, Shalynn proved to be a poised performer! Her piercing eyes staring down the batter and signaling to her teammates her command of the game from the pitcher’s circle. Catcher, Katie Hillsgrove could certainly attest to the speed and control of her pitches along she demonstrated against great competition.
Shalynn’s “go to” pitch was her rise ball that drove NHTI opponents delirious. A little trickery with her pitching “stuff” and a strikeout would sit the batter back down. She could paint the corners of the plate with heat and mix in her change up and curve to keep batters off balance at all times. Shalynn always kept her poise in crucial situations which helped earn her a D-2 softball scholarship to Assumption College.
The NHTI softball team enjoyed a fabulous 14-1 season with Shalynn on the mound. The team MVP and USCAA All-American, Shalynn led our Capitals (now Lynx) to wins over NCAA D-2 St. Michael’s & Franklin Pierce along with NCAA D-3 Norwich University.
Some of her favorite memories on the diamond include her relationships with her teammates and the coaching staff, especially Deb Smith. Shalynn would like to recognize Deb for her impact on her personal and athletic life as a mentor, coach and friend.
If you check out the Assumption College softball record books, you will find Shalynn’s name littered on the pages with recognition of her career saves, most innings pitched and second in career strikeouts.
Shalynn is married to former NHTI men’s basketball player and team captain Kenny Ouellette and has three beautiful girls (Kayle 10, Kylie 6 and Kennedy 3) and resides in Bakersfield, California where she teaches second grade at St. John’s Lutheran School.
On behalf of NHTI Athletics, let’s welcome Shalynn Napolitano Ouellette with a video acceptance for her induction to the NHTI Athletic Hall of Fame. Shalynn’s parents are here to accept the award on her behalf.
