Jenny Topping

Topping began her career by playing in only 9 games before tearing her ACL and having to red-shirt the 1999 season.{{cite web|url=http://www.gohuskies.com/ViewArticle.dbml?&DB_OEM_ID=30200&ATCLID=208008151 |title=Topping To Redshirt Season After Tearing ACL |website=Gohuskies.com |date=1999-02-25 |access-date=2015-03-11 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402133532/http://www.gohuskies.com/ViewArticle.dbml?&DB_OEM_ID=30200&ATCLID=208008151 |archive-date=2015-04-02 }} She did hit three home runs, bringing in 11 RBIs and had career single game highs with four base on balls vs. the UIC Flames on February 6 and four hits vs. the Michigan Wolverines a week later on February 19.{{cite web|url=http://www.gohuskies.com/ViewArticle.dbml?&DB_OEM_ID=30200&ATCLID=208006916 |title=No. 4 Huskies Win Two More At Pepsi Arizona Classic |website=Gohuskies.com |date=1999-02-06 |access-date=2015-03-11 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402142646/http://www.gohuskies.com/ViewArticle.dbml?&DB_OEM_ID=30200&ATCLID=208006916 |archive-date=2015-04-02 }}{{cite web|url=http://www.gohuskies.com/ViewArticle.dbml?&DB_OEM_ID=30200&ATCLID=208005720 |title=Michigan vs Washington |website=Gohuskies.com |date=1999-02-19 |access-date=2015-03-11 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402152658/http://www.gohuskies.com/ViewArticle.dbml?&DB_OEM_ID=30200&ATCLID=208005720 |archive-date=2015-04-02 }}

In her first full season, Topping earned 2000 First Team All-American citation, along with All-Pac-10 honors and was named Pac-10 Newcomer of the Year.{{cite web |url=https://nfca.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=3828:2000-di-all-american-teams-&catid=64&Itemid=134 |title=2000 Louisville Slugger/NFCA Division I All-America Teams |website=Nfca.org |date= |accessdate=2016-01-06}}{{cite web |url=http://www.gohuskies.com/ViewArticle.dbml?&DB_OEM_ID=30200&ATCLID=208008135 |title=Four Huskies Earn All-American Honors |website=Gohuskies.com |date=2000-05-24 |accessdate=2015-03-11}}{{cite web |url=http://www.gohuskies.com/ViewArticle.dbml?&DB_OEM_ID=30200&ATCLID=208009374 |title=Husky Softball Earns Top Honors From Pac-10 |website=Gohuskies.com |date=2000-05-12 |accessdate=2015-03-11}} Setting school records for RBIs (NCAA all-time Freshman Class record), home runs, slugging percentage, walks, grand slams (4) and on-base percentage (.565%), while ranking top-5 in average and doubles. Topping led the NCAA in the first three categories and placed herself in its top-10 all-time season rankings for the grand slams, RBI and home run totals.{{cite web |url=http://fs.ncaa.org/Docs/stats/Softball%20Archived%20Stats/2000/D1.txt |title=NCAA Division I Softball 2000 Final Statistics |website=Ncaa.org |date= |accessdate=2015-03-10}} She also led the Pac-10 for the RBI and home run totals that year.

During the week of March 7, Topping garnered National Fastpitch Coaches Association "National Player of The Week" honors for her performance of hitting over .650, driving in double digit RBIs (12) on 5 home runs and slugging an impressive 1.800%.{{cite web|url=http://www.gohuskies.com/ViewArticle.dbml?&DB_OEM_ID=30200&ATCLID=208007771 |title=Jenny Topping Earns NFCA Player of The Week Honors |website=Gohuskies.com |date=2000-03-08 |access-date=2015-03-11 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402093737/http://www.gohuskies.com/ViewArticle.dbml?&DB_OEM_ID=30200&ATCLID=208007771 |archive-date=2015-04-02 }} This would help the Husky bat a second all-time best in Washington softball history for a single season. Topping and the Huskies made it into the Women's College World Series but were eventually eliminated by Jennie Finch and the Arizona Wildcats in a 4–2 loss. It would mark Topping's only appearance at the series.{{cite web |url=http://www.gohuskies.com/ViewArticle.dbml?&DB_OEM_ID=30200&ATCLID=208005877 |title=Huskies Fall To Arizona, 4-2, in College World Series |website=Gohuskies.com |date=2000-05-27 |accessdate=2015-03-11}}

Combined with her limited 1999 stats, Topping currently still retains season records for RBIs and slugging percentage. She is tops in career records for batting average, on-base and slugging percentage.{{cite web |url=https://gohuskies.com/documents/2020/2/6/Record_Book_2020.pdf |title=Husky Softball Records & History |location=Gohuskies.com |date= |accessdate=2020-08-13}} She ranks 5th in career batting average for the renamed Pac-12.{{cite web |url=https://catalog.e-digitaleditions.com/i/1208184-2020-softball-media-guide |title=2020 Pac-12 Softball Media Guide |date= |accessdate=2020-08-13}}

After having transferred onto a new team, Topping continued her career in honors by repeating as an All-American and picked up her first All-Big West selection along with a "Player of The Year" Award.{{cite web |url=https://nfca.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=3795:2001-di-all-american-teams-&catid=64&Itemid=134 |title=2001 Louisville Slugger/NFCA Division I All-America Teams |website=Nfca.org |date= |accessdate=2016-01-06}} Topping set surviving school and conference season records in RBIs and walks. She also set new Cal State Fullerton Titans season records for on-base percentage and doubles, while ranking merely in the top-5 for batting average, home runs, slugging and runs. This would earn her a conference Triple Crown for the best average, RBI and home run marks, the latter of which she was tied with teammate Yasmin Mossadeghi.{{cite web |url=http://fs.ncaa.org/Docs/stats/Softball%20Archived%20Stats/2001/D1.txt |title=NCAA Division I Softball 2001 Final Statistics |website=Ncaa.org |date= |accessdate=2015-03-11}} Debuting on February 2, 2001, Topping would set a career and single game school record with 5 RBIs vs. the Colorado State Rams.{{cite web |url=http://grfx.cstv.com/photos/schools/csfu/sports/w-softbl/auto_pdf/2001PostseasonNotes.pdf |title=2001 Softball Quick Facts |website=Grfx.cstv.com |date= |accessdate=2015-03-11 |archive-date=2015-04-02 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402110412/http://grfx.cstv.com/photos/schools/csfu/sports/w-softbl/auto_pdf/2001PostseasonNotes.pdf |url-status=dead }}

The junior batted .472 (school record, career best and was the conference record) to again earn all-season honors.{{cite web |url=https://nfca.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=3774:2002-di-all-american-teams-&catid=64&Itemid=134 |title=2002 Louisville Slugger/NFCA Division I All-America Teams |website=Nfca.org |date= |accessdate=2016-01-06}} Topping also posted top-5 school records in slugging, on base and walks. The Titans won a mercy rule victory (10-1) over the UCSB Gauchos, Topping contributed by smacking her 50th career home run against pitcher Katie Junge on May 4, 2002.{{cite web |url=http://grfx.cstv.com/photos/schools/csfu/sports/w-softbl/auto_pdf/2002PostseasonNotes.pdf |title=#9 Cal State Fullerton At NCAA Regionals |website=Grfx.cstv.com |date= |accessdate=2015-03-11 |archive-date=2015-04-02 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402154038/http://grfx.cstv.com/photos/schools/csfu/sports/w-softbl/auto_pdf/2002PostseasonNotes.pdf |url-status=dead }} Beginning in a Regional win vs. the Stanford Cardinal on May 18, she began a consecutive hitting streak that would reach into her senior year.{{cite web|url=http://www.gostanford.com/ViewContent.dbml?&DB_OEM_ID=30600&CONTENT_ID=764369 |title=Official Box Score #9 Cal St Fullerton 4, No. 8 Stanford 1 |website=Gostanford.com |date=2002-05-19 |access-date=2015-03-11 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402110403/http://www.gostanford.com/ViewContent.dbml?&DB_OEM_ID=30600&CONTENT_ID=764369 |archive-date=2015-04-02 }}

Topping's senior season saw her earn her fourth First Team All-American and third Big West all-conference and "Player of The Year" Awards.{{cite web |url=https://nfca.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=3740:2003-di-all-american-teams-&catid=64&Itemid=134|title=2003 Louisville Slugger/NFCA Division I All-America Teams |website=Nfca.org |date= |accessdate=2016-01-06}} She set a new Titans record for her .576% on-base percentage to accompany top-5 school and conference records in batting average, slugging and walks. Topping led off the season with a 13 consecutive game hit streak that added to the last games from the 2002 season for 15 in a row before being snapped in a win over the Texas Tech Red Raiders on February 16.{{cite web|url=http://www.texastech.com/sports/w-softbl/stats/021603aaa.html |title=Box Score Texas Tech vs Cal State Fullerton |website=Texastech.com |date=2003-02-16 |access-date=2015-03-11 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402170122/http://www.texastech.com/sports/w-softbl/stats/021603aaa.html |archive-date=2015-04-02 }}

Topping set another single game record for Cal State Fullerton by walking 4 times in 5 trips to the plate against the LSU Tigers on February 22, 2003.{{cite web |url=http://www.lsusports.net/src/data/lsu/assets/docs/sb/03stats/ls0222b.htm |title=Cal State Fullerton vs LSU (Feb 22, 2003) |website=Lsusports.net |date=2003-02-22 |accessdate=2015-03-10}} On March 2, Topping drove in her 200th career RBIs in a win over the Oregon State Beavers with a perfect 2/2 performance and three RBIs on the occasion.{{cite web |url=http://grfx.cstv.com/photos/schools/csfu/sports/w-softbl/auto_pdf/2004SBGuide.pdf |title=2004 Cal State Fullerton Softball |website=Grfx.cstv.com |date= |accessdate=2015-03-11 |archive-date=2014-12-16 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141216141815/http://grfx.cstv.com/photos/schools/csfu/sports/w-softbl/auto_pdf/2004SBGuide.pdf |url-status=dead }}

Topping ended her career as the Titan career record holder in batting average (.442), .771% slugging, .573% on base and walks (137). She also holds top-10 career records in RBIs, hits, home runs, doubles, runs and fielding percentage.{{cite web |url=https://d2o2figo6ddd0g.cloudfront.net/0/d/iaqraz9h6pjs50/SoftballRecordBook.pdf

|title=2019 Record Book |location=Cloudfront.net |date= |accessdate=2020-08-13}} She owns the Big West batting crown (in just three seasons) and ranks top-10 for RBIs, home runs, doubles and walks.{{cite web |url=https://bigwest.org/documents/2020/6/3/20_SB_Record_Book.pdf |title=Big West Softball Record Book |location=Bigwest.org |date= |accessdate=2020-08-13}} Overall, the acclaimed hitter would rank top-10 in RBIs, home runs, walks and slugging in all of the NCAA Division I, of which she still does for her career grand slams (5th) total.{{cite web |url=http://fs.ncaa.org/Docs/stats/SB_Records/2020/D1.pdf |title=Division I Softball Records |location=Ncaa.org |date= |accessdate=2020-08-13}}

Topping made the United States National Team and spent most of the year playing on the Aiming For Athens Tour. Team USA previewed their prowess by scoring a tour best 18 runs off the Army Black Knights in exhibition game 8 on February 28. Topping went 4/5 with 4 RBIs, a home run and scored on two of teammate Lovieanne Jung's three home runs. Topping also hit a walk-off home run vs. the Illinois Fighting Illini on March 4 to preserve the team's perfect Olympic tours record.{{cite web |url=http://www.teamusa.org/USA-Softball/Events/2004/February/20/Aiming-for-Athens-Tour |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402110012/http://www.teamusa.org/USA-Softball/Events/2004/February/20/Aiming-for-Athens-Tour |url-status=dead |archive-date=April 2, 2015 |title=Aiming For Athens Tour |website=Teamusa.org |date= |accessdate=2015-03-11}}

At the festival, Topping saw limited time on the field but managed to hit a team best .666 and earned a gold medal as the United States defeated Australia in the title game on August 23.{{cite web |url=http://www.teamusa.org/USA-Softball/News/2004/August/23/Emotional-ride-to-US-Softball-Gold.aspx |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130404224514/http://www.teamusa.org/USA-Softball/News/2004/August/23/Emotional-ride-to-US-Softball-Gold.aspx |url-status=dead |archive-date=April 4, 2013 |title=Emotional Ride To US Softball Gold |website=Teamusa.org |date=2004-08-23 |accessdate=2015-03-11}}

Topping would go on to also earn a gold medal in 2006 World Championships. In 2008, she served as an alternate for the Beijing Olympics and won a silver medal. On the Bound 4 Beijing Tour she again led the team in batting average. She had been a Team USA member since 2001, starting on the USA Blue Team.{{cite web |url=http://www.teamusa.org/usa-softball/athletes/Jenny-Topping |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140808103216/http://www.teamusa.org/usa-softball/athletes/jenny-topping |url-status=dead |archive-date=August 8, 2014 |title=Jenny Topping |website=Teamusa.org |date= |accessdate=2015-03-11}}

The Akron Racers rookie played well to earn a spot on the NPF All-Star roster.{{cite web |url=http://profastpitch.com.ismmedia.com/ISM3/std-content/repos/Top/STATISTICS%20FOLDER/TEAM%20NPF%20ARCHIVES/05%20East%20ALL%20STAR%20Roster.pdf |title=2005 NPF All-Star Roster |website=Isnmedia.com |date= |accessdate=2015-03-10 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304040147/http://profastpitch.com.ismmedia.com/ISM3/std-content/repos/Top/STATISTICS%20FOLDER/TEAM%20NPF%20ARCHIVES/05%20East%20ALL%20STAR%20Roster.pdf |archive-date=2016-03-04 |url-status=usurped }} Her team made it into the Cowles Cup Championship and on August 28, 2005 they outlasted the Chicago Bandits 5–4 in 8-innings to win. Topping hit a double off Jennie Finch.{{cite web |url=http://www.chicagobandits.com/team/history/ |title=Bandits History |website=Chicagobandits.com |date= |accessdate=2015-03-11 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402093635/http://www.chicagobandits.com/team/history/ |archive-date=2015-04-02 |url-status=dead }}

Topping played two more seasons in 2006 and 2009 respectively and claims a career .328 batting average.

• 2012 Olympic Hall of Fame{{cite web |url=http://www.fullertontitans.com/sports/w-softbl/2012-13/releases/20120626o63yzz |title=Titans' Topping Headed To U.S. Olympic Hall of Fame |website=Fullertontitans.com |date=2012-06-26 |accessdate=2015-03-10}}
• Softball World Champion (2006)
• International Sports Invitational Champion (2005)
• Gold medalist at Athens Olympic Games (2004)
• Gold medalist at Pan American Games (2003)
• Big West Conference Player of the Year (2001–2003)
• First-team All-American (2000–2003)
• Pac-10 Newcomer of the Year (2000)

• NCAA Division I softball career .400 batting average list
• NCAA Division I softball career 200 RBIs list
• NCAA Division I softball career 50 home runs list

{{Reflist}}

• http://goldmedaltraining31.com/{{dead link|date=December 2024}}
• [http://www.usasoftball.com/Women/Olympics/2004OlympicGames/Bios/topping.html Player profile at USA Softball]{{dead link|date=December 2024}}
• [https://www.usasoftball.com/roster/jenny-topping/ Jenny Topping] at USA Softball
• {{Team USA|new_id=jenny-topping|old_id=Jenny-Topping|sport=usa-softball|archive=20230326174253}}
• {{Olympics.com|jenny-topping}}
• {{Olympedia}}

{{United States softball roster 2008 Summer Olympics}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Topping, Jenny}}

Category:1980 births

Category:Olympic softball players for the United States

Category:Softball players from California

Category:Cal State Fullerton Titans softball players

Category:Softball players at the 2004 Summer Olympics

Category:Softball players at the 2007 Pan American Games

Category:Olympic gold medalists for the United States in softball

Category:Living people

Category:American softball players

Category:Sportspeople from Whittier, California

Category:Washington Huskies softball players

Category:Medalists at the 2004 Summer Olympics

Category:Pan American Games softball players for the United States

Category:Akron Racers players