Courtesy photos.
SANTA MARIA — A Pioneer Valley High School softball standout will take her athletic and academic promise to Dakota Wesleyan University next year.
Four-year varsity starter Monique Gomez, who played second base and shortstop for the Panthers, also received a $21,000 Randall Scholarship, according to Athletic Director Jeff Monteiro.
“I’m very excited to have the opportunity to be able to start my next chapter in life at Dakota Wesleyan University. Not only will I be able to continue my softball career with a fantastic program and group of people, but I will also have the unique opportunity to earn, not only my Bachelor’s, but my Master’s degree in Athletic Training as well. I have been able to earn one of DWU’s top scholarships: the Randall Scholarship, the first softball player to do so and am so very grateful and blessed.
“By continuing my softball career at DWU, I will have the opportunity to play against my older sister, whose school is also a part of the GPAC, so that is one of the things that I look forward to doing the most. I’ll be happy to know family is nearby. But this next step in life would not have been possible had it not been for my high school and travel coaches of the Phenom Organization, they played big roles in helping me get to where I am today. But my parents are who started it all for me, my mom driving me to all my tournaments and always being there to support me, and my dad who put in countless hours along with me from the garage to the softball field to help me train and get better, for them I am forever grateful. Lastly, I thank my coaches at DWU for reaching out to me and making it possible for me to continue every softball player’s dream of playing at the next level. I’m happy to know that my hard work, not only in the classroom, but on the field as well, has been a major payoff.” – Monique Gomez