Dawn Castañeda is personal batting instructor located in Rancho Cucamonga. Over the course of her coaching career, she has been improving the lives of many dedicated female athletes. Dawn’s strengths include working with and understanding young women in all aspects of life, on and off the field. When it comes to softball, she has taught everything from details in hitting, defense and strategy. Dawn enjoys breaking things down, so that all students are able to learn all parts of the game. She admits it takes an enormous amount of discipline and determination, but with these characteristics each student will be able to be responsible for achieving their personal goals.
Her experience playing the game includes: Bishop Amat, Azusa Pacific, So Cal Invaders (16u), Gordon’s Panther’s (16u), Crackerjacks (18u), Bongo (Women’s Division), Legacy (Women’s Division), Shilo’s (Women’s Division).
Dawn holds a bachelor’s degree in Physical Education from Azusa Pacific University (’97). Immediately following graduation she began her coaching career, she has taught and coached at the following schools: Rosary High School (Asst. Varisty Coach), Azusa Pacific University (Asst. Coach), Northwestern State University (Asst. Coach), St. Lucy’s Priory High School (Varsity Head Coach), Cal State San Bernardino University (Head Coach), Pasadena High School (Asst. Varsity Coach).
In her spare time, Dawn also coaches travelball with Strike Force Gold (18u-Guerra). Her experience includes: Tuff-e-nuff (16u-Guerra), Cal Thunder (18u-Guerra), American Pastime (18u-Zerkle), American Pastime (Women’s Division-Zerkle), Softball University Force (14u-Castellanos), and currently with OC Batbusters-Lara/Portesi (16U).
We will help you:
- Set goals Improve your mechanics
- Increase your knowledge of the swing
- Learn proper strength training techniques
- Improve mental game
- Find motivation doing drills
- Reach your goals
Past and Current Students…
Class of 2004
University of Redlands – Lizzet Casillas (Diamond Ranch)
Class of 2007
Biola University – Kristin Larson (Arrowhead Christian Academy)
Biola University – Leslie Larson (Arrowhead Christian Academy)
Class of 2008
Pacific University – Lauren Tuey (Redlands)
Class of 2009
Southern Utah University – Katie Olinger (Yucipa)
Class of 2010
Concordia University (Irvine) – Rachel Prentice (Upland)
University of Louiseville – Kentucky – Katelyn Mann (Los Osos)
Dominican University – Paige Berzak (Pacifica)
Utah State University – Sam Miller (Arcadia)
Class of 2011
Indiana University – Bri Meyer (Los Osos)
Grand Canyon University – Kelsey Barak (Etiwanda)
Caldwell College – Alyssa Calderon (Etiwanda)
Iowa Western – Vanessa Molina (South Hills)
Briar Cliff – Taylor Garcia (Baldwin Park)
Class of 2012
University of Nevada – Amanda Weis (Redlands)
BYU – Marissa Bravo (Roosevelt)
Caldwell College – Rachel Berzak (Pacifica)
University of Washington – Melissa Taukeiaho (Etiwanda)
Chico State University – Desi Gonzalez (Etiwanda)
Alabama State University – Ashley Cardiel (Rancho Cucamonga)
Class of 2013
University of Texas – Arlington – Angelica Nino (Silverado)
Northwood University – Alyssa Cabral (Citrus Valley)
Iowa Western – Amanda Wightman (Los Osos)
Southeastern Iowa – Melanie Villa (Redlands East Valley)
Fairliegh Dickinson University- Alex Portesi (Don Lugo)
San Marcos – Stacey Vargas (Rancho Cucamonga)
Howard University – Lauren Castellanos (Los Osos)
Howard University – Tara Castellanos (Los Osos)
Oklahoma Panhandle State University – Salina Galindo (Chino)
Linfield College – Mikaela Viloria (El Modena)
Riverside City College – Tiff Kuhr (Colton)
Class of 2014
University of Tennessee – Chattanooga – Kailey Palazzolo (Don Lugo)
Concordia University (Irvine) – Lori Brown (Riverside Poly)
Campbell University – Melissa Tullar (Los Osos)
Long Beach State University – Irma Sanchez (Los Osos)
University of Pacific – Marissa Young (Los Osos)
Caldwell College – Kiahna Silva (Etiwanda)
Rider University – Toni Nino (Silverado)
Wilmington University – Monique Rojas (Jurupa) San Diego Christian University – Maritza Martinez (Rancho Cucamonga)
Class of 2015
Biola University – Marissa Reyes (South Hills)
Class of 2016
Oklahoma University – Vanessa Taukieaho (Etiwanda) UC Santa Barbara – Felicia Noriega (Etiwanda)
Experience
High School / College Coaching Experience
Assistant Varsity Coach Rosary High School, Fullerton 2010 – 2012
Head Coach Cal State University San Bernardino, San Bernardino 2002 – 2005
Varsity Head Coach St. Lucy’s Priory High School, Glendora 2002 season
Batting Instructor TCH2HIT, Rancho Cucamonga 2001 – current
Assistant Coach Northwestern State University, Natchitoches, LA 2000 – 2001
Assistant Coach Azusa Pacific University, Azusa 1999 – 2000
Assistant Varsity Coach Rosary High School, Fullerton 1998 – 1999
Travelball Experience
Assistant Coach Strike Force 18U Gold-Guerra, Huntington Beach 2009 – current
Assistant Coach Softball University Force, Rancho Cucamonga 2008 – 2009
Assistant Coach American Pastime 18U-Zerkle, Rancho Cucamonga 2002 – 2007
Assistant Coach Tuff-e-Nuff, Walnut 1998 – 2000
Coaching Experience Recognition:
Azusa Pacific University – 2000
NAIA Coaching Staff of the Year
NAIA National Runner-Up
Regional Champions
GSAC Champions
Rosary High School
1998 – CIF Sem-Finals
Golden West League – 2nd place
1997 – CIF Runner-up
Golden West League Champions
Women’s Division:
Women’s Open B All-tournament (98)
Azusa Pacific University:
First Cougar to receive All-GSAC recognition all 4 years:
First Team (97,95,94), Second Team (96)
NFCA First Team (97)
NAIA National Championship All-Tournament Team (97)
GSAC Player of the Week (95)
Hall of Fame Inductee (13)
Interesting Facts while at APU:
13-game hitting streak (97)
25 multi-hit games (97)
2 10-game hitting streaks (96)
23 multi-hit games (96)
22 game hitting streak (95)
25 multi-hit games (95)
Career Batting average .405
Struck out 19 times in 794 plate appearances
As of January 2013 Dawn still holds the following records at APU:
Highest Batting Average:
.405 1994-97, 279-for-689
Most At-Bats:
689 1994-97
Most Hits:
279 1994-97
Hitting Streaks:
22 games
Bishop Amat High School:
4 year letterwinner
Most Valuable Player (93)
First Team All-Del Rey League (93)
First Team All-San Gabriel Valley (93)
First Team All-CIF Div II (93)
CIF Div II Runner-Ups
Honorable Mention All-SGV (92)
Second Team All-Del Rey League (91)
Most Improved Player (91)
Hall Of Fame Inductee
1137 W. 9th Street
Upland, CA 91786
(951) 751-2345