A mainstay in King Athletics since she arrived on campus in 2000, Jenn Testa is helping make history for Tornado Athletics after just four years on the job. In year one of being a NCAA Division II member, Testa and her squad stand as the reigning Conference Carolinas Tournament Champions and team that has “success” written in its future.

King nearly tripled their win total from the 2011 season and set a new program record for wins in a year (34) during their run through the conference tournament and right into the NCAA Division II Regional Tournament. Behind All-Conference pitcher Hannah Light and three additional All-Conference selections up the middle of the infield, Testa and the Lady Tornado marched through the Conference Carolinas Tournament and were crowned champions then challenged No. 11 North Georgia in the Regional Tournament. Four were named to the All-Tournament Team while Light was named Tournament Most Valuable Player. The tournament championship is the first since King fully transitioned to NCAA Division II.

After the turn of the spring, the Lady Tornado turned a 6-9 record around by winning eight straight and 11 of their next 12 games. After winning six of their last nine games and their final three of the regular season, the team stormed through and went undefeated in four games to win the tournament title. They were backed by Light’s 19 wins in the circle, second-most in the conference, and her second-best earned run average (1.56). Two King players topped the charts in runs batted in (Thomas, 47; Melcher, 43) and freshman Christina Melcher tied for the league lead in batting average (.395).

After taking the reins of a program that began in 2005, Testa took the Lady Tornado to their first national tournament in just her second season as head coach. Testa helped guide King to a 22-17 overall record in 2010 and advanced to the NCCAA National Tournament. By season’s end, she housed King Softball’s first All-Americans in program history with one First Team and one Second Team NCCAA All-American selection.

In her first season (2009) she led the team to the program’s best record in its history, finishing the year 23-16 (.590) overall. Testa continued to fuel the team’s success with a trip to the Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) Tournament, where the Lady Tornado finished fourth.

Testa was brought on as the assistant softball coach in 2005 while also serving as an assistant on the King women’s basketball team (2006-2008). In 2006, she was part of the softball program’s first trip to the Region XII Tournament before switching gears to the hardwood. While with Lady Tornado Basketball she helped the team to its first NAIA National Tournament appearance since 1992-93, ending a 15-year streak. Shortly after that tournament appearance, Testa was offered the head softball coach job.

The Upper Arlington, Ohio native was recruited as a dual-sport athlete and began her schooling at Denison (Ohio) University to play basketball and softball. After injuries provided a slight setback, Testa transferred to King in 2000 and became a four-year starter for the Lady Tornado basketball team from 2000 to 2004.  During her career she scored 968 points, received All-AAC honors and was voted as the team’s Best Defensive Player in three of her four years. Testa also served as captain of the Lady Tornado for two seasons.

Testa earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Behavior Science from King in 2004 and received her Master's in Business Administration the following year. In 2005, she was named Sports Information Director while maintaining her assistant softball coach duties.

Testa played basketball and softball for Upper Arlington High School in Columbus, Ohio. As team captain in basketball, she led UAHS to the District Tournament finals her senior year and received All-Conference and All-District honors. She was named team and District Most Valuable Player and Scholar-Athlete of the Year that year, as well.  On the diamond, Testa captained the Lady Golden Bear softball team her senior year. She was the youngest player to receive All-District honors and helped lead the Golden Bears to the District Finals.

The Tale on Testa