Northwest captain: Fremd's Lena Brottman
The numbers are staggering.
They are the best in the history of Fremd softball.
In fact, the best by any Mid-Suburban League pitcher since the sport began in the early 1970s.
Senior Lena Brottman has 82 career wins and needs only 2 strikeouts to reach 1,000 for her career.
Her 82 wins surpass the former MSL record of 80 set by 2004 Barrington graduate Abby Reed and 79 accomplished by 1987 Prospect grad Laura Stock.
The only other MSL pitcher to surpass 1,000 strikeouts is 2003 Daily Herald all-area honorary captain Megan Huitink of Elk Grove, who finished with 1,067.
Fremd coach Jim Weaver says he could talk about his star pitcher all day and never run out of positive things to say.
It's a good thing because Brottman is never going to talk much about herself.
With this hard-throwing right-hander, it's all about her team.
"I try not to think about the stats and numbers," said Brottman, the 2010 Daily Herald Cook County honorary softball captain. "I just try and go out to do my best and pitch my heart out."
Brottman's heart is involved in a lot of other things, too.
The honor roll student created a nonprofit charity when she was in fifth grade called "Heart to Heart," an organization that donates money to local charities.
After the first year, her charity raised over $3,000 for the Make a Wish Foundation.
Brottman expanded the program to Hunting Ridge Elementary, Plum Grove Junior High, and Fremd High School in Palatine and since 2004, Heart to Heart has donated a total of over $6,500 for local charities.
She plans to study business at Emory University in Georgia where she will also play softball for the Eagles.
It's her business-like approach on the pitcher's mound which is playing a key role in Fremd's second straight trip to the Final Four at the EastSide Centre in East Peoria for today's semifinal.
"The truth is I couldn't do it without my teammates behind me," said the always humble Brottman. "You can't win without them making the plays behind you and without them scoring runs.
"I'm so lucky to be in such a great program and with Mr. (Jim) Weaver as my coach. All the girls have been so supportive on and off the field and the managers, too (seniors Molly Calhoun and Jaime Esposito). I couldn't have gotten anywhere without them."
Brottman's 29-2 record is the most wins in a single season by a Fremd pitcher. Her ERA stands at 0.45. She has 288 strikeouts and only 10 walks in 185 innings.
"Lena is a composed and mature leader in the circle," Weaver said. " She has shattered every pitching record in the Fremd softball record books.
"Her will to prepare for success is just one of her most amazing qualities, and her desire to deflect accolades for her success to her teammates endear her to everyone around her."
Brottman is equally as prepared in the classroom where she ranks 72nd in her class of 755 with a 4.27 GPA and score of 31 on her ACT.
Among her numerous achievements, Brottman has been recognized as a 2010 member of the Daily Herald Leadership Team, a Coca-Cola National Scholar, distinguished finalist for the Prudential Spirit of Community, and a recipient of the President's Volunteer Service Award.
She has also been the recipient of a " Woman to Woman: Making a Difference Award" and has been a "Kohl's Kids Who Care Program" finalist twice.
Brottman has also played the alto saxophone in four bands at Fremd and was a captain for the volleyball team last fall. She is also a published poet.
She calls the entire Fremd softball program one large tight-knit family.
"A big part of that is our coaches (Weaver who is assisted on the varsity by T.J. Valacek and Christine Vlaming). They are all so supportive and selfless.
"I know I'm not alone when I say that coach Weaver is really like a second dad to me in our softball family. We all look after each other both on and off the field, and I am so lucky to be a part of this family."
Brottman's parents Dave and Jan and her brother Joey are always in the stands cheering for the Vikings.
And they'll be there in East Peoria this weekend where Brottman will try to pitch the Vikings to the top prize after a third-place finish last June.
"Hopefully, we'll go all the way this time," Brottman said. "Then this one will be very memorable. But last year was amazing, too.
"Just to come down here twice is amazing and a dream come true."
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<h1>More Coverage</h1>
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<h2>Related documents</h2>
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<li><a href="/pdf/cooksoftballfront10.pdf">Northwestern suburban all-area team Page 1</a></li>
<li><a href="/pdf/cooksoftballteam10.pdf">Northwestern suburban all-area team Page 2</a></li>
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