CANYON, Texas – West Texas A&M's softball head coach Michael Mook announced that five players have decided to attend WT and join the softball program for the 2021 season.  Kallieah Richerson-Cook, Hailey Neira, Halle Lytal, Josey Nichols and Justine Navarra will join six others for the program's incoming freshmen class.  
 
Kallieah Richerson-Cook
Shingle Springs, Calif. | Ponderosa High School | 1B/OF
Richerson-Cook attended Ponderosa High School as a first baseman, catcher and outfielder, where she played under Dwayne Brekke.  She was named First Team All-League and Second Team Sacramento Bee All-Metro honors  in her junior campaign after she hit .576 with a .848 slugging-percentage and .616 on-base-percentage.  She was declared one of MaxPreps 2020 Sac-Joaquin players to watch for the 2020 season before the season was cut short due to COVID-19.
 
Hailey Neira
San Antonio, Texas | William J. Brennan High School | OF
Neira went to William J. Brennan where she lettered all four years as a centerfielder under head coach Selena Garcia.  She was a four-time All-District 28-6A honoree and was named to the District 28-6A Super Team in her senior campaign after batting .528.  She helped the Bears finish 19-9 with a playoff appearance her junior season.
 
Halle Lytal
Bushland, Texas | Bushland High School | RHP/UTL
Lytal attended Bushland High School where she played under  head coach Amber Parkhurst as a pitcher and shortstop.  She was a four-year varsity letter winner as she helped the Falcons to a 16-4 record before the season was cut short.  The Texas native was named to the Texas Girls Coaches Association (TGCA) All-State team and the Texas Sports Writers Class 3A All-State team as a pitcher.
 
Josey Nichols
Conifer, Colo. | Conifer High School | RHP/UTL
Nichols was a four-year varsity letter winner at Conifer High School as a pitcher and utility player under head coach Carrie Oletski.  The Colorado native was a three-time First Team All-Colorado 7 League honoree.  She earned CHSAA All-State honorable mention recognition after recording a .554 batting average and .629 on-base percentage during her senior campaign. 
 
Justine Navarra
Atwater, Calif. | Buhach Colony High School | 3B/OF
Navarra played third, second and in the outfield under Nancy Williamson at Buhach Colony High School. 
She was one of two athletes in the state to be named the 2020 California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) Spirit of Sport Spring Athlete.  She earned Central California Conference All-Academic and All-League honors in her junior campaign.