Kara Ryman, a sophomore from Westminster, Colo., has been a steady performer for the Cougars this season, as well as last season. She leads the team in doubles with 25 so far this season for the 51-8 Cougars, who are preparing for the regional tournament May 1-3 at Volunteer Field in Scottsbluff. Kara also is hitting .407 for the season and had eight home runs and three triples in 59 games played. Here is a candid one-on-one on the talented Kara.

Q: Are you guys excited for the regional tournament?
A: We are really excited about it.

Q: What do you have to do to come away with a regional title?
A: I think just by playing one game at a time and taking it day by day will get us there.

Q: You had 51 wins this season, are you surprised that you won over 50 games and played like you have?
A: Maybe at times, but not really. The team has a lot of talent and we have been doing really well. The record shows it.

Q: No one likes to lose, but do you think the losses this weekend might help you heading into the regional tournament?
A: I think the losses had to come before [regionals]. It was just like the UNC games, the losses had to come and I think it is better that they came then, then more towards the end. I think we grew from it and we learned from our mistakes.

Q: How big was it for you to win that doubleheader against Otero?
A: It was really bit. It set it up and got us excited for Region IX. It was really big.

Q: Why is this team so good?
A: There is a lot of talent that people bring to the table. There is talent from everyone and every body helps the team in different ways.

Q: You have a lot of sophomores, too. Will it be hard next year when all the sophomores go to different schools?
A: It will be a big change for a lot of us. It will be really different, but luckily some of us get to go with each other.

Q: You are going to Northern Colorado, why did you decided to sign with UNC?
A: I pretty much choose it because it is close to home and to get back to Colorado. It also was an opportunity to play D1.

Q: WNCC played UNC earlier this season and you get to see what that level of competition is like?
A: It is an eye-opener to see what it is like. We fought and we could have given them a better game, but it was an eye-opener for sure.

Q: You already have 20-some doubles this season, why do you like to hit doubles?
A: I don’t really know.

Q: Do you like playing second or shortstop better, or comfortable with most positions?
A: I am more comfortable at second, but I played shortstop in high school. So, I prefer second base over shortstop.

Q: How close is this team?
A: We have our moments. I think we can be close, but it is a lot different then before.

Q: Can this team win a regional title?
A: I think so. I think we can go all the way.

Q: If you win a regional title, you then miss graduation, so which one?
A: Winning regionals would be nice.

Q: What was it like to play two years at WNCC?
A: It helped me grow a lot on and off the field. It thought me a lot and I really enjoyed it here. I will miss it next year for sure.

Q: What are some memories about this year?
A: Beating Otero and being No. 1 in the league.

Q: Anything funny happen on the team that you will remember?
A: There have been a lot of funny times on the bus, but nothing really stuck out.

Q: Has coach been a different coach for you in coming here because she is more structured/ Has it been helpful to you?
A: She has been helpful. It is nice to have structure. The strictness was there when it needed to be and it helped a lot.

Q: How much have you grown while at WNCC?
A: I think I have grown a lot and I learned a lot while here. She has taught me a lot, which I will carry on with me next year.

Q: What did you all play in high school?
A: I played softball and basketball.

Q: Why is this team such good hitters?
A: I think the hitting that coach teaches us that we have all bought into for the sophomores the last two years, and the freshmen are starting to buy into it. She is a good hitting coach.

Q: Is it a big change for you in hitting?
A: Last year was big from what I was taught in Colorado. Coming out here has helped me.

Q: You have improved your hitting from high school to college, do you know What was average was in high school?
A: I would say the low .300s.

Q: A lot of home runs and doubles in high school?
A: No.

Q: So you have more power coming here?
A: Yeah, coming here I did get more power.

Q: What do you look for in going to UNC next year? What do you hope to accomplish?
A: I hope to carry on from what I learned here and take all the skills I learned here to there. Hopefully it will work out there, too.

Q: What are your hobbies? What do you enjoy doing in your spare time?
A: Playing softball, hanging out with friends, shopping in Denver, going to the zoo, and going to the lake.

Q: Favorites?
Color — Pink
Food — Crab legs
Sports Team — New York Yankees
Vacation Spot — Mexico
Month — May
TV Show — The Hills