ONE TRUE ALL-STAR MONTCLAIR PREP ATHLETE STARS ON FIELD, AS COACH, STUDENT.

Byline: Erik Boal Special to the Daily News

Of the seven athletes representing the Santa Clarita Valley on the East team in the 19th annual Daily News All-Star Softball game at 4 p.m. today at Cal State Northridge, Kirsten Slouber might be the least known of the group.

She also might be the most talented.

Slouber didn't play with East teammates Dani Thompson at Canyon, or Karina Slauenwhite at Hart, or Ashley Arnett at Saugus, or Courtney Baughman, Breanne Javier and Whitney Lowe at Valencia. The 18-year-old didn't attend Santa Clarita Christian, nor was she home-schooled.

Slouber, who grew up in Tujunga, wanted to attend nearby Verdugo Hills with her friends from junior high. But the summer before her freshman year, Slouber's mom, Kerry, decided to move to Canyon Country because she believed her daughter needed an opportunity to excel in a more challenging academic environment.

Slouber thought following the move, she would have the chance to attend Canyon, or possibly Valencia. But after much thought, her mom enrolled her at Montclair Prep, a private school in nearby Panorama City.

Even though she played at a school that competes in Southern Section Div. VI, instead of in the Div. I-based Foothill League, Slouber still managed to secure a scholarship to play softball at Loyola Marymount. Her signing with the Lions was largely due to her success with her travel team, the So Cal Spoilers, which featured as many as 10 athletes from the Santa Clarita Valley as recent as two years ago.

``I wanted to go to a big school, like Valencia, not only because of the school, but because of the softball program,'' said Slouber, who finished with a .655 batting average, five home runs and 23 RBI this season. ``But looking back, I'm so happy my mom made me go there. I was dreading it at first, but I wouldn't have accomplished this much anywhere else. I wouldn't be the person I am today if I hadn't gone to school (at Montclair Prep).''

Slouber will graduate Thursday night with a cumulative 3.9 grade-point average, in addition to boasting five varsity letters and the recognition of being the school's Female Athlete of the Year.

Even with her individual success at Montclair Prep - including her selection as Olympic League Most Valuable Player last season - the majority of Slouber's accomplishments went unnoticed because the Mounties struggled to win games during her sophomore and junior years.

Slouber's most notable accomplishment this season came during a 2-1, 21-inning victory over Crossroads of Santa Monica on May 9, in which she struck out 47 batters, fifth all-time in state history.

The feat was even more impressive considering Slouber - who finished with 206 strikeouts and a 0.76 ERA in 120 innings - is likely to play the outfield, instead of pitch, at LMU.

``If I wasn't at the game, I probably wouldn't have even known about it,'' said Kerry Slouber of her daughter's achievement, which was featured on a news segment on KNBC-Channel 4 later in the week. ``That's just the way (Kirsten) is. She doesn't like to talk about what she's done.''

One thing Slouber is open to discuss is her senior honors project, which she completed last week by turning in a 127-page report, followed by a 65-minute evaluation and interview from a panel of teachers and school administrators two days later.

On the suggestion from softball assistant coach Jeannine Smith, as well as another one of her teachers, Slouber took on the challenge of coaching Montclair Prep's middle school softball team from December to March.

With her mom as her assistant coach - because her daughter, who was not yet 18, needed an adult to travel with the team on bus rides - Slouber guided a group of 14 sixth- and seventh-graders to a 7-2 record. The accomplishment was even more impressive considering only one of the girls had ever played softball before.

``I had never coached before. I had absolutely no idea how much hard work it would be,'' said Slouber, who had Smith act as the supervisor of her project. ``I always had appreciation for how hard coaches work, I just have much more of an appreciation now.''

Kerry Slouber said it was one of the most rewarding opportunities for her as a parent.

``It was a great experience for me to see Kirsten on the other side,'' Kerry said. ``Except for the fact that she wasn't 18, which is why the school required an adult to be there, she really didn't need anybody else's help.''

Upon learning of her selection to the East team, which is coached by Hart's Cathy Giordano and Glendale's Kris Kohlmeier, Slouber said she was honored by the recognition. But she believes an even bigger honor was being able to give something back to her school.

``It wasn't just an assignment, it was something I looked forward to doing. And I take a lot of pride in knowing that I'm graduating with honors,'' Slouber said. ``Montclair Prep has given me a lot, a lot more than I expected them to give me, and this way the best way I knew how to give something back.''

Erik Boal, [phone]

erik.boal(at)dailynews.com

CAPTION(S):

photo

Photo:

In addition to pitching at Montclair Prep, Kristen Slouder also coached a middle school softball team.

Hans Gutknecht/Staff Photographer