Oh,
how the softball team is becoming one of the top teams in
the Region
under third year head coach Maria Winn. Last season, the team finished with a
winning record, 27-25-1 and finished second in the Region IX Tournament. That
year, the Cougars set team and individual records for runs scored, home runs,
RBIs and many other categories.
The previous
year, the Cougar women finished 23-30 and won games at the Regional Tournament
since the team's inaugural year.
And, one of the reasons that WNCC is becoming feared in the the region is
because of the coach. The one thing Winn did when she came to WNCC is revamp a
run-down softball field into one of the finest softball fields in the Panhandle,
including a scoreboard, press box, storage shed and an outfield relaxation area.
All this turning around the program goes to the coach. She is the main reason
why this program is succeeding. And, it all starts with the coach (and with a
name like Winn, how can you not win). Winn came to WNCC in August 2004 with high
credentials having been an all-Conference centerfielder at Columbia College in
Missouri. Most recently before landing her first head coaching job, she was an
assistant at Central Methodist University in Fayette, Mo. Winn also served as an
assistant coach at Armstrong Atlantic State University in Savannah, Ga., and
Bemidji State University in Bemidji, Minn.
Coaching is just part of Winn's extensive softball background. During her time at Columbia, she
earned plenty of honors. She finished with a 300-plus batting average in 1996 as
well as earning the 110% award. During her senior season, she was awarded honors
for academic all-conference, all-conference first team, all-Midwest region team
and was the team captain.
During this past summer, Winn also helped coach a traveling high school team in
Colorado, sponsored by Triple Crown Sports, at the Canada Cup held in British
Columbia. She also has helped out with many camps over the summer and the fall
in various parts of Colorado and in Las Vegas.
There are several words that can describe Winn; she is smart with knowledge of
the game of softball. She is also a person that is willing to help students to
better themselves in the classroom and the field.
