“Softball to the rescue” Q & A with Reeghan Lehnert and Hailey Valitski

Reeghan Lehnert and Hailey Valiski both came to Mt. Hood Community College to play softball for 14th-year head coach Meadow McWhorter. The two planned all year to practice softball during the fall and winter, preparing

themselves for next spring’s softball season.

Those plans changed when they were asked to compete for the Saints’ shorthanded women’s cross country roster

so the squad could field a full team, eligible to score in official meets. McWhorter was fine with the two athletes helping out cross country head coach Jim Satterfield.

“I am so happy for them to have the opportunity to participate in cross country and that they are able to run for Satterfield,” said McWhorter. “He is an excellent coach.”

Until those two joined, the Saints didn’t have enough women runners to compete in the South Region and NWAC championships. They now have the minimum required five runners. Lehnert and Valiski both accepted the challenge and athletic scholarships from Satterfield for their sacrifice and dedication to the school and the athletic program.

The Advocate got a chance to catch up with the two new cross country runners this week from the softball team, which will help boost the Saints chance to score team points with a full cross country roster.

Valiski Freshman, from Sandy

Q: When did you first know you’d be running cross country for the Saints this year?

A: I didn’t know at all until my softball coach asked me if I would help out just a couple weeks already into the cross country season.

Q: What were your initial thoughts? Excited? Nervous?

A: I was just sort of anxious because I’m brand new to the sport.

Q: Do you consider yourself already in good enough shape for this sport, due to running so much throughout the softball offseason?

A:  I thought I was going to be fine because of all the running our softball team does, but once we started practicing the sprints for our kicks at the end of the each race, I was thoroughly surprised.

Lehnert Sophomore, from Pendleton

Q: What other sports did you play in high school?

A: I was a three-sport athlete, playing volleyball, basketball, and softball –never any cross country or track.

Q: How did you find yourself at Mt. Hood?

A: I first got the idea from some girls who came to play softball at Mt. Hood that I played with in high school. They helped me schedule a visit so I could come work out for the softball team. I was welcomed immediately.

Q: How do you expect cross country to help you with your upcoming softball campaign this spring?

A: I picture cross country helping me with my overall physical shape, endurance, and mental toughness throughout the rest of softball season.

Q: Are you trying to surprise any other teams with your times during cross country?

A: Honestly I am nervous, but I am going to go out there and do my best. It’s going to come down to being mentally tough and finding a steady pace that I can stick with so I don’t burn out.