Kristine Botto Drust returns to the Brakettes in 2016 in what will be her first year as Associate Head Coach. Botto Drust was a member of the 2004 ASA National Championship Brakette Team before heading to the National Pro Fastpitch (NPF) league in 2005-2006. Kristine currently is the Head Coach at Cheshire High School where she has lead the Rams to a 40-10 record the past 2 years, including a quarter final appearance and a state final appearance. She was also awarded the 2015 CHSCA LL Coach of the Year.

Prior to arriving at Cheshire, Botto Drust spent 3 years as the first assistant at Central Connecticut State University, a Division 1 program in New Britain, CT.

Before moving to CT, Botto Drust spent eight years as assistant and associate head coach at her alma mater, the University of Massachusetts-Lowell. She helped lead UMass-Lowell to two NCAA regional berths and a Northeast-10 Tournament Championship in 2007. She currently sits on the University's NCAA IPP Steering Committee.

Botto Drust, a native of Lowell, MA and graduate of Lowell High School, was inducted into the Lowell (H.S.) Hall of Fame in 2007 and was inducted into the UMass-Lowell Athletic Hall of Fame in May of 2009 at the University's Excellence Banquet.

Botto Drust, a two-time NFCA All-American catcher, remains prominent in the UMass-Lowell record books as she established several single-season and career records. She remains the season leader in stolen bases (33) and singles (205), and 2nd in career stolen base percentage (.895, 77/86). She had also been the previous career leader in games played (185), stolen bases (77), and at bats (607), and is among career leaders in many other categories, including runs (126, 3rd), hits (208, 3rd), and batting (.423, 3rd).

In addition to earning All-America status, Botto Drust was also a three-time National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) Northeast Region First Team honoree and all-conference first team selection.

Botto Drust joined the Connecticut Classics following graduation, and led the team in hitting for three seasons, capturing a 23U National Championship in 2001.

Botto Drust also played professionally for the New England Riptide, in the National Pro Fastpitch league in the 2005 and 2006 seasons, helping them to the 2006 National Pro Fastpitch Championship over the Brakettes. In 2004, Botto Drust hit .396 and helped lead the Brakettes as they won their 26th ASA National Championship.

Botto Drust lives in Cheshire, CT with her husband Don Drust, the Cheshire Head Football Coach and former UMass-Lowell football standout, their son Brewer and daughter Oakley.