By: by Emily Diekelmann
Tarvin Bio
KENNESAW, Ga.- Sitting on the sidelines with an injury for the first time since starting her softball career, Owls sophomore Cat Tarvin watched as her team competed in the sport that she has loved all her life. This season however, she will get a chance to walk out on the diamond and back into the pitcher’s circle and prove once again why she is a vital part of the Kennesaw State softball program.
Recovering from an ACL injury suffered during the second game of the 2009 season, Tarvin looks to bounce back from a great freshman campaign that saw her play in 47 of the Owls 51 games and being named to the Atlantic Sun Conference All-Freshman team. Owls head softball coach Scott Whitlock knows that Tarvin’s contributions extend beyond the parameters of the softball field.
“Cat’s recovery has been one of the bright spots of the fall semester,” Whitlock said. “When we lost her a year ago for the season, a little bit of our energy and emotion was lost, too. She brings a very positive and enthusiastic attitude to the ball club, dugout and playing field. We are very pleased with the recovery of her knee and are happy that she has worked so hard. We know we will be a better ball club in 2011 because we have her back.”
Tarvin arrived on Kennesaw State’s campus after an illustrious career at Collins Hill High School in Suwanee, Ga., where she helped her team win Gwinnett County Team of the Month four years in a row and was an All-County selection two years in a row. For Tarvin, her best moment of the 2009 season was the feeling of pitching in her first college game.
“My most memorable moment was my first game I started against Mississippi State, which was so nerve-wracking, but exciting at the same time,” Tarvin said. “I remember [Assistant Head Coach Wes Holly, Jr.] would give us signs and when we would strike big hitters out, we would get so excited. I had butterflies but it was one of the best times of my freshman year.”
Growing up with a brother only 18 months her elder, Tarvin became his shadow, wanting to do everything he did, which included playing baseball at the age of six. Her dad signed her up and she was the only girl on the team. It wasn’t until she was 10 year old that her dad finally got her into softball and her passion for the sport began. Of all the people in her life that have been influential, she knows her brother and dad were big inspirations.
“I played baseball first because my brother did it, and I being somewhat of a tomboy wanted to do what he did,” Tarvin said. “My brother inspired me to do a lot and we as a family would go practice in rain or whatever. My dad would say any game you could play in the rain or cold so you practice in them. My dad and my brother were the ones who got me out there.”
Coming to Kennesaw State, Tarvin was ecstatic about being able to stay close to home and those people that helped her get into the game.
“I know my parents will be at every game,” Tarvin said. “Most of my family comes to the games. I used to say I wanted to go far away, but I like the home atmosphere and knowing I can go 30 minutes down the road and be back in Gwinnett.”
Despite having played softball for most of her life, Tarvin has had other athletic aspirations, as well, dreaming of swimming competitively and also competing as a gymnast. When she was younger, Tarvin did make an attempt at her gymnastics dream, but her genes made it almost impossible for her to compete.
“If I could be a gymnast I would be, but I am too tall,” Tarvin said. “I have always wanted to learn how to back flip. I joke with the cheerleaders at Kennesaw about teaching me so I can do back flips out to the pitcher’s circle. My parents tried to sign me up when I was little, but I was too tall. So they told me I don’t think that is the sport for you.”
Now after sitting out an entire season while her friends and teammates played the game she loves, Tarvin will finally get a chance to compete again. Knowing now what she learned her freshman year and what she experienced in the past few months, she is ready to get her hands dirty again.
“I am very ready to get back out there,” Tarvin said. “I think the team looks really good, but there are still things we need to grow from. I feel that everybody can be a contributor and be where we need to be this year.”
