Washington turns to Jones

CEDAR RAPIDS -- Washington High School announces the hiring of Erin Jones as its new head softball coach, pending Board approval.

Jones replaces Fanaye Wooldrik, who resigned from her softball coaching assignment this fall.

Washington Athletic Director Paul James said, "Erin has an outstanding softball background from youth softball through college. She understands the components it will take to continue the path to improving the quality of softball at Washington. Her positive relationships with Washington athletes will be a big plus in moving forward."

A 2003 graduate of Cedar Rapids Jefferson, Jones was a three-sport athlete. She was a three-year starter and all-conference player in basketball, and a five-year starter in softball. She was a member of three Jefferson state-tournament softball teams.

Jones was a two time All-American outfielder at Iowa Lakes Community College and an all-region basketball player. From there she played a year of Division I softball at South Dakota State University. Jones graduated from Coe College where she was a two-year basketball starter. She has been the Washington softball assistant for the past six years.Washington showed significant progress last summer, winning 12 of its last 21 games to finish 14-25. The 14 wins were more than Washington had collected in the previous four years combined.