Meet the Newcomers: Alex Vargas – Ohio State Buckeyes
9/11/2014 12:00:00 AM | Softball
Sept. 11, 2014
Alex Vargas
Freshman
Chula Vista, Calif. | Bonita Vista
5-9 | 1B | R/R
Alex Vargas joins the Buckeyes’ program by way of Bonita Vista High School. She led her team to the CIF finals last year and had 31 RBI in just 26 games. A four-year varsity letterwinner, she hit .364 with 87 RBI, 77 runs scored, 30 doubles and 14 home runs in her career.
WHAT DOES BECOMING A BUCKEYE MEAN TO YOU?
Being a Buckeye is such an honor! It means that all my hard work and dedication that I put into my studies and softball have paid off. I am now at a Division I college with top athletes and students. It is such a blessing; I am extremely grateful to be a part of the Buckeye family and would never take it for granted. I am so lucky to be part of this tradition.
DESCRIBE SOME OF THE FACTORS THAT WENT IN TO YOU CHOOSING TO ATTEND OHIO STATE
I went to a softball camp where I had the privilege to meet and introduce myself to Coach Schoenly. She mentioned how the program worked and how the team was doing. I knew right then that I was interested. Also, before I met Coach Kelly I did research on Ohio State’s history and its legacy. I was falling in love with the idea that I could be attending school and playing the sport I love at the greatest school in the country. I had the same routine every day and never saw anything that had Ohio State symbol on it. I live in South Bay area of San Diego (close to the border) and you rarely see anything related to the school. I met older people who saw me in Ohio State gear and they would tell me how they graduated from OSU. I knew that it was a sign from God and my Dad to tell me that I am supposed to choose Ohio State.
WHAT OHIO STATE TRADITION(S) ARE YOU MOST LOOKING FORWARD TO PARTICIPATING IN?
I am really looking forward to rivalry week when we play the Team Up North for football season, or any sport for that matter. I know there’s rich history between both of the schools and now I can be a part of the tradition. I plan to participate as much as I can throughout the years that I’ll be here.
WHAT IS THE FIRST THING THAT FANS WILL NOTICE ABOUT YOUR STYLE OF PLAY WHEN THEY COME TO SEE A GAME AT BUCKEYE FIELD?
I hope that the fans will notice that I will play as if it were my last game on Earth. To me it means playing my heart out for every play, at bat, fielding opportunity, or base running. I also love to communicate with girls in the right time of the game either on the field or in the dugout so we know what we are thinking about and how to improve.
TALK ABOUT THE IMPACT OF THE BUCKEYES’ COACHING STAFF, AND HEAD COACH KELLY KOVACH SCHOENLY IN PARTICULAR, HAD ON YOU DURING THE RECRUITING PROCESS
Coach Schoenly made me feel extremely welcome to the Buckeye family right off the bat. She helped me become less nervous about the entire process. She invited me to go to a tournament that she went to so that we had a chance to talk and to get to know each better. Talking to the coaches on the phone and through email also helped me get comfortable with the idea of joining the Buckeye family. When I came to Columbus for my official visit, the coaches showed my mom and I the campus, talked more about the school and softball program to let me know and understand how things worked. The coaches and the team treated us very well!
WHAT ARE SOME OF THE GOALS YOU WOULD LIKE TO ACHIEVE DURING YOUR TIME AT OHIO STATE, BOTH ATHLETICALLY AND ACADEMICALLY?
My goal athletically is to keep pushing myself to do better by taking more reps, not giving up, practicing harder and not making many mistakes both physically and mentally. Also, to remind myself that it is a team sport and to help as much as I can in any way that I can. Academically, my goals are to practice time management with softball and my class schedule. A goal of mine would be to prepare myself for my classes and have a 4.0 every year.
WHAT ARE YOUR INTERESTS AND/OR HOBBIES OUTSIDE OF SOFTBALL?
My main hobby outside of softball is fishing. I love to go to the pier in San Diego and go fish. I love spending time with my family as well. So pretty much whatever my family does I will tag along just so that I can be around them. They mean the most to me. My family is so important to me. I love going to/watching baseball games (Padres or Yankees).
