July 14, 2010

Softball recruit named Lynette Woodard High School Female Athlete of the Year

Recognized as an all-league and all-state athlete in three sports (softball, basketball, and volleyball) as a senior at Clearwater High School, Tricia Vogel, who recently signed to play softball at Cowley College, was named the recipient of the 2010 Lynette Woodard High School Female Athlete of the Year award during the 13th annual Greater Wichita Sports Banquet.
Other finalists for the award were Tiffany Bias of Andover Central and Nicole Walden of Bishop Carroll. Being from the small town of Clearwater, Vogel was surprised to hear her name called as the winner of the award.
“I was really shocked, I wasn’t expecting it because the other girls are both really good athletes and better known than I am,” Vogel said. “It mean’s a lot to me. It felt like the four years I put into my sports was appreciated.”

Her future softball coach at Cowley College, Ed Hargrove, was in attendance and had told Vogel prior to the announcement that she should be proud to be up for the award.
“I tried to prepare myself and her to realize this was a really great honor just to be in the final three,” Hargrove said. “When they announced her name I was probably as shocked as her.”
Hargrove wasn’t shocked because he thought Vogel didn’t deserve the award, he just thought the athletes she was up against for the award received more attention throughout their seasons because of the schools they attended.
Hargrove was glad the voters did their homework in researching the three finalists and believes Vogel will make an immediate impact with the Lady Tiger softball program.
“She is going to be one of the better pure hitters we have ever had,” Hargrove said.
Last season, Vogel batted .483 with 29 runs batted in. She also led her team with a .603 on base percentage.
On the basketball court she averaged 16 points and seven rebounds per game, while serving as the team’s point guard. Not to be outdone, she led the Clearwater volleyball team with  239 kills and 27 aces as an outside hitter. Her stellar play helped Clearwater finish second at sub-state.
She decided to focus on softball at Cowley and will play first base for the Lady Tigers.
 “They have a successful softball program and I wanted to be a part of a program that wants to work hard and do their best to win,” Vogel said. “I am real excited to be coming to Cowley.”