Info on the Olympians

Crystl Bustos Named 2008 USA Softball Player of the Year

OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. - After a stellar 2008 season which included her retirement, three-time Olympian Crystl Bustos (Canyon Country, Calif.) was named the 2008 USA Softball Player of the Year by the Amateur Softball Association. Bustos leaves behind a legacy not only as the most powerful hitter in the game, but also as a leader on and off the field.

“It’s an honor to be named the USA Softball Player of the Year as I was surrounded by such an amazing group of athletes daily throughout this past year,” said Bustos. “Although the outcome of the gold medal game wasn’t what we would have liked, I am so thankful for being able to represent my country for so many years.”

Bustos was stellar throughout the 2008 Olympic Games, including coming out strong in the semi-final and gold medal game. In the semifinal match-up, Bustos blasted a three-run home run against Japanese pitching ace Yukiko Ueno in the top of the ninth inning giving the U.S. the 4-1 victory. Bustos also scored the only U.S. run in the gold medal game with a solo home run again off of Ueno. Her next at bat was an intentional walk, the third of the Games for her.

Bustos wrapped up the Beijing Games hitting .500 (11-for-22) with a team-high six home runs and 10 RBI. She also broke two of her own records as well as tied one. She broke the record of most home runs hit (5) in an Olympic Games with six and broke her Olympic slugging percentage of .923 from 2004 hitting 1.318 in 2008. She recorded 12 runs as the U.S. outscored opponents 58-5, while tying her own RBI Olympic record with 10 from 2004.

She finishes her Olympic career with four records including the career home run Olympic record with 14 from 2000, 2004 and 2008.

Bustos retired her cleats after the 3-1 loss on home plate of the Fengtai Stadium and will forever be remembered and appreciated by the ASA and fans across the world.

Some info on Topping:

AccomplishmentsIn Topping's own wordsSince 2004Photo GalleryA Few Accomplishments
• Two-time World Cup Champion (2006 & 2007)
• Two-time Pan American Gold medalist (2003 & 2007)
• World Champion (2006)
• Olympic Gold Medalist (2004)

National Team Experience
2007
• Gold medalist at Pan American Games
• World Cup Champion
Started in 11 games during the 2007 campaign with playing time at catcher
• Hit .308 (4-for-13) at the Canada Cup with six RBI and a team high two hit by pitch

2006
• World Cup Champion
Hit .600 (6-for-10) with three RBI in three games played
• Gold medalist at ISF World Championships
Hit .500 (4-for-8) with three runs; posted a team second-best two doubles

2005
• Gold medalist at Pan Am qualifier
• Silver medalist at Japan Cup
• Silver medalist at World Cup
Hit .143 (1-7) with a double and an RBI

2004
• Gold medalist at Olympic Games in Athens, Greece
Hit a team-high .667 (4-6) with a triple

2003
• Gold medalist at Pan American Games

2002
• Selected member of 2002 National Team
• Suffered torn ACL and did not play

At Cal State Fullerton
• Three-time NFCA First-team All American (2000, 2001 & 2002)
• Three-time Big West Conference Player of the Year (2000, 2001 & 2002)
• Graduated in 2003

At Washington
• First-team NFCA All American (1999)
• Pac-10 Newcomer of the Year (1999)
• Led the NCAA in homeruns and RBIs

Other
• Member of the Akron Racers of the National Pro Fastpitch League (2006)
• Led the Akron Racers to the National Pro Fastpitch Championship (2005)
• Member of NPF All-Star team