Meet Our 2025 Clinic Speakers
December 12, 2025 Renaissance Waverly Hotel
Katie Taylor – Elite Outfield Play
Katie Taylor is a three-time Georgia Class 7A state champion from East Coweta High School and was ranked by Extra Inning Softball as the No. 1 outfielder and No. 24 overall prospect in the Class of 2021. She went on to play four seasons at the University of Tennessee, appearing in more than 180 games for the Lady Vols while contributing as a starter, pinch runner, outfield specialist, and clutch situational hitter.
During her senior season, Taylor hit .281 with a .425 on-base percentage and produced multiple extra-base hits, including key RBI swings and several triples. She played a major role in Tennessee’s postseason success, including their Women’s College World Series run, highlighted by a two-run home run in the SEC Tournament semifinal vs. Alabama.
Taylor completed her SEC career with 33 runs scored, multiple home runs, and a reputation as one of the fastest and most intelligent baserunners on the roster. Off the field, she earned numerous academic honors, including the 2024 and 2023 SEC Spring Academic Honor Roll, the Easton/NFCA Scholar Athlete Award, and SEC First-Year Academic Honor Roll.
A standout travel-ball athlete for the East Cobb Bullets, she helped her team claim the 2019 Triple Crown/USA National Championship with a go-ahead home run. Taylor brings elite playing experience, elite defensive knowledge, and a passion for developing outfielders at every level.
Katie Taylor is a three-time Georgia Class 7A state champion from East Coweta High School and was ranked by Extra Inning Softball as the No. 1 outfielder and No. 24 overall prospect in the Class of 2021. She went on to play four seasons at the University of Tennessee, appearing in more than 180 games for the Lady Vols while contributing as a starter, pinch runner, outfield specialist, and clutch situational hitter.
During her senior season, Taylor hit .281 with a .425 on-base percentage and produced multiple extra-base hits, including key RBI swings and several triples. She played a major role in Tennessee’s postseason success, including their Women’s College World Series run, highlighted by a two-run home run in the SEC Tournament semifinal vs. Alabama.
Taylor completed her SEC career with 33 runs scored, multiple home runs, and a reputation as one of the fastest and most intelligent baserunners on the roster. Off the field, she earned numerous academic honors, including the 2024 and 2023 SEC Spring Academic Honor Roll, the Easton/NFCA Scholar Athlete Award, and SEC First-Year Academic Honor Roll.
A standout travel-ball athlete for the East Cobb Bullets, she helped her team claim the 2019 Triple Crown/USA National Championship with a go-ahead home run. Taylor brings elite playing experience, elite defensive knowledge, and a passion for developing outfielders at every level.
Coach Keith Madison – Coaching With Purpose
Coach Keith Madison is one of the most respected figures in amateur baseball, with a career spanning professional playing experience, 25 years of Division I coaching success, and national recognition for his contributions to the sport. A native of Brownsville, Kentucky, Madison signed with the Montreal Expos at age 17 and reached Triple-A by age 19, later continuing his professional career with the Cincinnati Reds organization.
After completing his degree from Western Kentucky University, Madison began coaching at Lake Wales High School (FL) before joining Mississippi State as a graduate assistant under Ron Polk. At age 26, he was named head coach at the University of Kentucky, becoming the youngest Division I head baseball coach in the nation.
During his tenure at Kentucky, Madison led the Wildcats to a school-record 737 victories—the most in program history at the time—and coached 17 athletes who went on to play Major League Baseball, including 2006 Cy Young Award winner Brandon Webb.
His influence earned him induction into the Kentucky High School Baseball Coaches Association Hall of Fame, the University of Kentucky Athletic Hall of Fame, and the American Baseball Coaches Association Hall of Fame.
His jersey is retired at Kentucky, and in 2013 he received one of amateur baseball’s highest honors: the Lefty Gomez Award. Madison remains a highly respected leader and communicator, known for his emphasis on coaching with purpose, character, and lifelong impact.
Coach Keith Madison is one of the most respected figures in amateur baseball, with a career spanning professional playing experience, 25 years of Division I coaching success, and national recognition for his contributions to the sport. A native of Brownsville, Kentucky, Madison signed with the Montreal Expos at age 17 and reached Triple-A by age 19, later continuing his professional career with the Cincinnati Reds organization.
After completing his degree from Western Kentucky University, Madison began coaching at Lake Wales High School (FL) before joining Mississippi State as a graduate assistant under Ron Polk. At age 26, he was named head coach at the University of Kentucky, becoming the youngest Division I head baseball coach in the nation.
During his tenure at Kentucky, Madison led the Wildcats to a school-record 737 victories—the most in program history at the time—and coached 17 athletes who went on to play Major League Baseball, including 2006 Cy Young Award winner Brandon Webb.
His influence earned him induction into the Kentucky High School Baseball Coaches Association Hall of Fame, the University of Kentucky Athletic Hall of Fame, and the American Baseball Coaches Association Hall of Fame.
His jersey is retired at Kentucky, and in 2013 he received one of amateur baseball’s highest honors: the Lefty Gomez Award. Madison remains a highly respected leader and communicator, known for his emphasis on coaching with purpose, character, and lifelong impact.
Jennifer Michuda – Infield Play & Professional Opportunities
Jennifer Michuda is an international professional softball infielder with six seasons of playing experience across Europe and the United States. A four-year starter at Carthage College (2014–2018), Michuda transitioned into professional softball in 2019, beginning her career with the Karlsruhe Cougars in Germany.
In 2021, she played for SC Storms Repy in the Czech Republic, where she posted a .324 batting average and a .479 on-base percentage—8th highest in the league. She then competed in the Netherlands for the Oosterhout Twins (2022–2023), leading her team in batting average both seasons with marks of .411 and .485, and achieving error-free defensive seasons.
Michuda also played for the Chattanooga Steam in 2024 before representing Mrki Medvedi (Croatia) in the European B Cup, where she led the tournament in doubles and finished fifth in batting average at .444. Most recently, she competed for Kinheim Haarlem in the Netherlands, batting .330 with a .450 OBP.
Primarily an infielder at third and second base, Michuda is known for her versatility, reliability, and high-level offensive production. Her global playing career allows her to provide rare insight into professional softball opportunities overseas and advanced infield development.
Jennifer Michuda is an international professional softball infielder with six seasons of playing experience across Europe and the United States. A four-year starter at Carthage College (2014–2018), Michuda transitioned into professional softball in 2019, beginning her career with the Karlsruhe Cougars in Germany.
In 2021, she played for SC Storms Repy in the Czech Republic, where she posted a .324 batting average and a .479 on-base percentage—8th highest in the league. She then competed in the Netherlands for the Oosterhout Twins (2022–2023), leading her team in batting average both seasons with marks of .411 and .485, and achieving error-free defensive seasons.
Michuda also played for the Chattanooga Steam in 2024 before representing Mrki Medvedi (Croatia) in the European B Cup, where she led the tournament in doubles and finished fifth in batting average at .444. Most recently, she competed for Kinheim Haarlem in the Netherlands, batting .330 with a .450 OBP.
Primarily an infielder at third and second base, Michuda is known for her versatility, reliability, and high-level offensive production. Her global playing career allows her to provide rare insight into professional softball opportunities overseas and advanced infield development.
Coach Nate Tompkins – Efficient Swing & Movement Training
Coach Nate Tompkins is entering his third season with Troy University Softball and his second as a full-time assistant coach. He has quickly become one of the rising offensive minds in Division I softball, blending biomechanics, movement efficiency, and data-driven development.
In his first season as assistant coach, Tompkins helped lead Troy to a 33–24 record and key Sun Belt Conference series wins. Under his guidance, Troy produced back-to-back seasons with 60+ home runs, broke program records in slugging percentage and sacrifice flies, and developed multiple All-Sun Belt selections, including Taylor McKinney (First Team), Alyssa Faircloth, and McKinnon Howard (Second Team).
Before joining the coaching staff, Tompkins served as Troy’s Director of Player Development and Analytics, playing a significant role in the program’s technology-integrated approach to hitting. He previously spent four years as a private instructor at D-Bat Chattanooga, where more than 80 of his athletes went on to play collegiate softball.
His coaching experience includes tenures at Brewton-Parker College (2016–2019) and Tennessee Temple University (2013–2015), where he coached 10 NCCAA All-Americans. Tompkins specializes in simplifying complex hitting and movement concepts into practical, teachable drills that any coach can implement.
Coach Nate Tompkins is entering his third season with Troy University Softball and his second as a full-time assistant coach. He has quickly become one of the rising offensive minds in Division I softball, blending biomechanics, movement efficiency, and data-driven development.
In his first season as assistant coach, Tompkins helped lead Troy to a 33–24 record and key Sun Belt Conference series wins. Under his guidance, Troy produced back-to-back seasons with 60+ home runs, broke program records in slugging percentage and sacrifice flies, and developed multiple All-Sun Belt selections, including Taylor McKinney (First Team), Alyssa Faircloth, and McKinnon Howard (Second Team).
Before joining the coaching staff, Tompkins served as Troy’s Director of Player Development and Analytics, playing a significant role in the program’s technology-integrated approach to hitting. He previously spent four years as a private instructor at D-Bat Chattanooga, where more than 80 of his athletes went on to play collegiate softball.
His coaching experience includes tenures at Brewton-Parker College (2016–2019) and Tennessee Temple University (2013–2015), where he coached 10 NCCAA All-Americans. Tompkins specializes in simplifying complex hitting and movement concepts into practical, teachable drills that any coach can implement.
Joel Klock – Mental Performance Training
Joel Klock is a Certified Mental Performance Consultant (CMPC®) and performance specialist dedicated to developing confidence, resilience, focus, and leadership in athletes and coaches. A native of Buffalo, New York, Klock was a three-sport high school athlete and played Division I baseball at Niagara University.
He began his career teaching and coaching in Hilton Head, South Carolina, where he discovered a passion for mental performance and its impact on athletic success. Klock later earned his Master’s degree in Sport and Performance Psychology from the University of Western States and became a certified member of the Association for Applied Sport Psychology.
Klock has worked with athletes at the middle school, high school, collegiate, and adult levels, helping them develop tools for consistent performance, emotional regulation, and mental toughness. He currently serves as a Performance Expert with the United States Army, training soldiers in elite mindset skills, stress management, and leadership under pressure.
His teaching centers on the belief that consistent performance is built on consistent thinking—and that resilient competitors must be trained, not assumed.
Joel Klock is a Certified Mental Performance Consultant (CMPC®) and performance specialist dedicated to developing confidence, resilience, focus, and leadership in athletes and coaches. A native of Buffalo, New York, Klock was a three-sport high school athlete and played Division I baseball at Niagara University.
He began his career teaching and coaching in Hilton Head, South Carolina, where he discovered a passion for mental performance and its impact on athletic success. Klock later earned his Master’s degree in Sport and Performance Psychology from the University of Western States and became a certified member of the Association for Applied Sport Psychology.
Klock has worked with athletes at the middle school, high school, collegiate, and adult levels, helping them develop tools for consistent performance, emotional regulation, and mental toughness. He currently serves as a Performance Expert with the United States Army, training soldiers in elite mindset skills, stress management, and leadership under pressure.
His teaching centers on the belief that consistent performance is built on consistent thinking—and that resilient competitors must be trained, not assumed.
Meri Sherman & Don Corr – GHSA Rule & Bylaw Updates
Meri Sherman and Don Corr serve as key Associate Directors for the Georgia High School Association, overseeing major operational and competitive areas that impact high school athletics statewide.
Meri Sherman joined GHSA in July 2025 as Associate Director for Softball and Soccer. Before GHSA, she served 20 years as the Executive Director of the Columbus Sports Council, where she helped host and advance numerous premier sporting events, including major softball tournaments. Her experience gives her a deep understanding of the needs of programs, coaches, and student-athletes across Georgia.
Don Corr has served as a GHSA Associate Director since 2017. He oversees postseason rankings, competitive structure, and key administrative elements that impact all classifications. His background and leadership provide clarity and consistency in GHSA processes, including upcoming rule and bylaw changes.
Together, Sherman and Corr provide critical updates and guidance for the 2026–27 GHSA season, ensuring coaches have the most accurate and up-to-date information for their programs.
Meri Sherman and Don Corr serve as key Associate Directors for the Georgia High School Association, overseeing major operational and competitive areas that impact high school athletics statewide.
Meri Sherman joined GHSA in July 2025 as Associate Director for Softball and Soccer. Before GHSA, she served 20 years as the Executive Director of the Columbus Sports Council, where she helped host and advance numerous premier sporting events, including major softball tournaments. Her experience gives her a deep understanding of the needs of programs, coaches, and student-athletes across Georgia.
Don Corr has served as a GHSA Associate Director since 2017. He oversees postseason rankings, competitive structure, and key administrative elements that impact all classifications. His background and leadership provide clarity and consistency in GHSA processes, including upcoming rule and bylaw changes.
Together, Sherman and Corr provide critical updates and guidance for the 2026–27 GHSA season, ensuring coaches have the most accurate and up-to-date information for their programs.