lswanson@montreat.edu
828-712-7092

New Head Softball Coach Lee Swanson is entering his first year at Montreat and his ninth year overall as a head coach after taking the past two years off. Prior to coaching at Montreat, Coach Swanson was at the helm for Belmont Abbey (NCAA DII). While at Belmont Abbey, Swanson compiled many achievements.

2004-2005

    * 33-16 Conference Carolinas runner-up
    * Third in the Conference Carolinas, conference tournament
    * Most wins in school history
    * Three All-Region Players
    * Coached the Conference Carolinas, Player of the Year
    * Conference Coach of the Year for second straight year.

2003 - 2004

    * 26-20 record and the regular season runner-up in the Conference Carolinas Conference.
    * Won the conference tournament, earning a berth in the NCAA Regional Tournament.
    * First winning season ever in school history
    * First Conference Championship
    * First and only appearance in the NCAA tournament
    * Conference Carolinas, Coach of the Year

1998-2001 at Mount Mercy College

    * 1999 - Third in Regular Season
    * 2000 - Third in Regular Season
    * 2001 - Sixth in Regular Season

1996-98 at Brescia University

    * 1997- Regular Season Conference Champions,
    * 1997 - Tournament Conference Champions
    * 1997 - Regional Qualifier
    * 1998 - Regular Season Runner-Up
    * 1998 - Conference tournament Runner-Up
    * 1998 - Regional Qualifier 32-15

Coach Lee Swanson is a 1996 graduate of Clarke College. He graduated from Central DeWitt High School (DeWitt, IA) in 1986.

Coach Swanson and his wife Megan of ten years, have three children: Easton (7), Nick (6), and Callie (2). His wife and children currently reside in Conrad, IA.

 

Haven Payne is beginning her first year as Assistant Softball Coach here at Montreat College. She graduated from Pisgah High School in 2004, where she played softball all four years.  She lead the team in batting average her freshman, sophomore & junior years.  She was also named All Western North Carolina her junior & senior years.
 
In 2008, Payne graduated from Montreat College with a Bachelors Degree in Business Administration with concentrations in Sports Management and Management.  During her time at Montreat, she played softball serving as pitcher and utility for the Lady Cavaliers.
 
Haven was a leader on and off the field accumulating numerous awards, including All Conference recognition as an outfielder and short stop her sophomore and junior years. As a freshman she was named team MVP, along with Defensive MVP as a junior, and Offensive MVP as a senior. She served her team as captain as a junior and senior, and was also named to the Academic All Conference team.
 
Payne is a native to Canton, NC but currently resides in Montreat.