Bears’ softball slugger transfers to North Florida

BY BRUCE STRAND SPORTS CONTRIBUTOR

Jordyn Meyer, former White Bear Lake softball standout, has transferred to North Florida University after one redshirt season with her first college choice, Creighton.

“It felt like North Florida was a better fit for me,” said Meyer, a catcher, adding that she’s delighted to be teaming up with Allison Benning, a close friend who pitched for Bears arch rival Stillwater. Benning is transferring from Oregon. The North Florida Ospreys were 29-23 in 2023.

Jeff Conrad, North Florida coach, lauded Meyer as “a really unique athlete,” in a press release. “Her size, at close to 6-1, really jumps out at you … Behind the plate, she is very fluid, which I attribute to her also being a competitive figure skater.” Meyer doubled as an accomplished skater throughout her school years.

As a senior Meyer belted eight homers, including a three-run shot at state, and knocked in 26 runs, while sparkling as an infielder, earning secondteam All-Metro honors and helping the Bears win conference and section titles and place fourth at state.

She played mostly shortstop for the Bears. Catcher is her true position, but the Bears had Heidi Barber catching for her sister, ace pitcher Chloe Barber. Chloe is headed for Wichita State, and Heidi, who has one season left with the Bears, has committed to Connecticut.