FLORENCE — As a senior softball standout at Hannah-Pamplico High School, Brittany Owens looked at Coker as one of her choices to continue her athletic career.
Instead, she chose to play at Florence-Darlington Tech.
Two years later, Coker came calling again. The timing was finally right this time, and on Thursday, Owens officially signed to play for the Cobras.
“Coker was one of the schools I was looking at out of high school,” Owens said. “But I chose to go to Tech to get some experience before I go to a four-year school.
“Plus, it’s close, but not too far from home.”
Owens will likely see time at second base and catcher at Coker. To the Pamplico native, however, it doesn’t matter where she plays. It only matters that she is playing for a team she knows well and a coach she knows even better.
“I’m excited, but I expect a much higher level of play at Coker,” Owens said. “I knew some of the players, but I’ve known coach (David) Hanna for a long time, since my travel ball days.”
As a freshman second baseman, Owens hit four home runs in 2007. Injuries reduced her to playing designated hitter this season, but she finished with a .230 batting average and two homers for the Stingers.
Owens said the adversity she had to overcome made her stronger and more mature.
“I became more mature as a person in my years at Tech. I became more of a team player,” she said. “As I look back at my high school years, college is a different level with more talented athletes.”
Stingers coach Heber Watson said that Owens’ signing is a validation of his philosophy at Tech — to give local athletes a chance to further their athletic careers and make their futures brighter.
“For our local student-athletes to move to another local school is our goal,” he said. “For Brittany to go to a program like Coker is huge for our program, and it will help her obtain her ultimate goal — to get a four-year degree.”
Watson added that Owens’ departure is a big loss, but an inevitable one due to the nature of the junior-college system. To him, Owens signifies everything he has tried to accomplish in his time as coach.
“My primary focus is to keep them in the program,” he said. “My second goal is to get them academically ready for a four-year school.
“Hopefully a regional title will come as we get more players, but that’s not the main focus of our program.”
Email
Facebook
Google
Twitter
Favorites
More
Advertisement