Natalie Anter

Position:
C/3B
Height:
5-7
Class:
Freshman
Hometown:
Upland, Calif.
High School:
St. Lucy's

After a standout career as a Tar Heel, Natalie Anter now serves as a volunteer assistant coach. She is working with the team while continuing to prepare for the 2004 Olympic Summer Games, where she will represent Italy. At UNC, Anter assists in developing the Tar Heels' young catching staff and the team's batters.

A four-year starter at catcher for the Tar Heels from 1999-2002, Anter earned All-Southeast Region and All-ACC honors in each year of her career. She still holds several UNC career records, including home runs (34), RBI (164) and walks (84), and was named to the ACC 50th Anniversary Team as one of the top 50 players in conference history.

With dual U.S. and Italian citizenship, Anter now plays for the Italian National Team, which earned an Olympic berth by winning the Africa/Europe Olympic Qualifier in June. She hit a three-run home run in the event finals to lead Italy to a 9-2 win over the Czech Republic and a spot in the eight-team field, which also includes the U.S. The 2004 Summer Games softball competition begins on Aug. 14.