By By KEVIN TRAVIS, Sports Editor
Kat Cahoon couldn’t have scripted a more perfect senior season.
The affable, talented Mount Olive outfielder is certainly enjoying a fairy tale ending to her collegiate career.
During Senior Day festivities on April 5, Cahoon was surprised with a marriage proposal by her boyfriend, Andrew Alphin. Meanwhile, the former Columbia High School star has been named the Conference Carolinas softball Player-of-the-Week for two consecutive weeks.
For those wondering, Cahoon said “yes” to the proposal, but not without some good-natured ribbing first. While Cahoon said she was surprised at the timing of Alphin’s proposal, as soon as his knee hit the infield dirt on the Mount Olive softball field, she knew what was coming next.
Cahoon went to bang out three hits in Sunday’s game, staying on her hot streak. With the ring safely tucked away with her mother, Cahoon went about her business of playing softball.
The senior didn’t have much trouble concentrating at the plate. But being in the outfield by herself was a different story.
Cahoon was thrilled that her parents, Kathy and James Cahoon, were on hand for the celebration.
Cahoon’s late brother, Blake, who was tragically killed in a car accident during Cahoon’s junior year of high school, was there in spirit. Blake has proven to be a huge influence on her life.
Cahoon has used that influence to help her softball career. Her hard work has certainly paid off this season.
She is hitting a team-best .413 with seven RBIs. Cahoon has scored a team-high 30 runs and has a team-best 10 stolen bases. Her 43 hits also lead the Trojans.
Her stats are even impressive to Cahoon.
Cahoon’s strong play last week led to her second consecutive NCAA Division II Conference Carolinas softball Player-of-the-Week honors. She batted .800 (8-for-10), reached base 12 times in 15 plate appearances over four games as Mount Olive posted a 4-0 record during the week and jumped to second in the Conference Carolinas standings.
Cahoon hit safely in all four games to extend her hitting streak to a career-high 10 games. She scored eight runs and was 3-for-4 in stolen bases during the week.
When Cahoon won Player-of-the-Week for the first time during her sophomore season, that’s when things started to click. It’s all led to her most recent success.
Besides being a softball standout with the Trojans, the sweet, spiritual Cahoon keeps plenty busy.
She is involved in Campus Ministry Leader, Monday Night Prayer, Thursday Night Worship, Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) and Ambassadors.
If that weren’t enough, Cahoon enjoys singing, swimming, dancing and running.
All of that doesn’t keep her from getting outstanding grades in the classroom. She holds a cumulative 3.592 grade point average.
Cahoon obviously has plenty to offer, and she plans on offering a big part of herself following graduation in August. Her dream is to be a director at a faith-based recreation center, and offer something for the kids in a small community.
If Cahoon dreams it, it will happen.