Kristi Paulson
-
- Title:
- Co-Head Coach
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- Organization:
- Lake Land College
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- City:
- Mattoon
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- State:
- Illinois
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- ZIP Code:
- 61938
Bio
Lake Land College President Josh Bullock and Atheltic Director William Jackson Annouce the hiring of CO-Head Coach Kristi Paulson on June 6rh 2024.
Coach Kristi Paulson just finished her fifth season (2023-24) as Co-Head Coach of the Parkland College
softball program. She and her husband, Dan, took over the reins in the fall of 2020. Prior to that, the
pair served as volunteer coaches for the Cobras. Under their direction, the Paulsons’ have propelled
Parkland to a record of 205-56 (.785 winning percentage), four straight M-WAC conference titles,
three Central District Championships, and three top-ten finishes at the NJCAA DII Softball World
Series. (7th 2021, 5th 2023, 9th 2024). The 2023-2024 season finished with the all time highest
winning percentage in Parkland history with a record of 58-6, a .906 winning
percentage.
During their 4 full seasons (2020 was shortened due to covid) their teams
had 8 NJCAA ALL American selections and 8 NFCA ALL American Selections. The
Region 24 player of the year came from the Cobras all four years.
The Paulsons were named MWAC Coach of the Year (2021, 2022, 2023, 2024), Region 24 Coach of the Year in
(2021, 2023, 2024), and most recently they were named “NFCA National Coaching Staff of the year.”
(2024)
The Paulsons created Premier Fastpitch in 2011 and has seen the program develop into a routine
competitor on the national stage. In addition to contending at the national level, the program has
also dominated at the state level, winning eight Illinois State ‘A’ Championships. The Paulsons have
coached and mentored over 100 athletes in their program and helped guide them through the
recruiting process of playing collegiate softball at all levels across the country.
Kristi Paulson played softball collegiately at Lake Land College, helping the Lakers its first NJCAA
Division I National Tournament in 2005-06. Kristi went on to complete her bachelor’s degree at
Eastern Illinois University, earning her teaching certificate in K-12 physical education.
Kristi is a proud alumni of Mattoon High School and Lake Land College. Kristi and Dan are the parents of four
children, Andi (9), Jax (7), Hayden (5), Livi (10 months).