Former Lady Pioneer receives college honors: Medlen earns All-division, All-TJCCAA recognition
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Medlen, who graduated from WCHS in 2001, was named to the All-Eastern Division team from the Tennessee Junior Community College Athletic Association’s Region VII for the second year in a row. She also earned All-TJCCAA status for her performance with coach Katrina Goldston’s Lady Raiders during her sophomore season.
“She had a great season for us,” Goldston said. “She did everything we asked of her and more, and I’m really going to miss having her out there.”
Serving as the Lady Raiders’ leadoff batter, Medlen turned in a .248 batting average this year with 31 hits and 13 runs scored, including two career homers.
In the field, the former Lady Pioneer hurler saw her fair share of time on the pitching rubber. But she also served as her team’s shortstop and saw some action in center field, committing just five errors while seeing action in all 40 of the Lady Raiders’ games.
“Becky can play anywhere for us,” Goldston said. “She’s just a very versatile player.
“Her first year here, she was our main pitcher, and pretty much had to pitch all the time, even coming on in relief during games when she didn’t start. She was limited to pitching that year, and did a good job.
“But this year, it was fortunate for us — and for her, too — that she was able to play some other positions. I’d rather have had her playing a position than pitching, because she can cover so much ground and is so talented in the field.”
Medlen noted the biggest adjustment at the college level was the number of quality hitters she had to face.
“It’s kind of different, and there are a lot more home runs going over the fence,” she said. “You face bigger hitters, they’re more aggressive, and you have to be more alert. But you adjust to it the more you play, and I was able to have a really good year.”
While her playing days at Roane are complete, Medlen will be staying at the college for an additional year to concentrate on her studies. But she will also have the opportunity to continue working with the team, including three former Lady Pioneers.
Jasmine Ware, Crystal Jones and Medlen’s sister, Becky, all signed letters-of-intent with RSCC on Wednesday, and Medlen said she’s looking forward to seeing her former teammates take the next step in their playing careers.
Goldston said if her studies permit, Medlen would be a welcomed addition to the Lady Raiders’ coaching staff.
“Right now it’s kind of up in the air if she’ll be able to do that, because she’ll have a pretty heavy workload in the classroom,” Goldston said. “But she will have an opportunity to work with the team as a student assistant, and if she is able to work within her schedule, I’d really like for her to do that.”