University of Minnesota Athletics
Catching Up With Colleen Powers
4/11/2008 12:00:00 AM | Softball
Golden Gopher outfielder Colleen Powers might not be the greatest athlete on the softball field at any given time, but she is definitely the most tenacious. Minnesota’s starting right fielder for the past two seasons, Powers, a Minnetonka native, has yet to commit and error during her collegiate career and has also shown a knack for coming through in clutch situations at the plate. Gophersports.com recently sat down with Powers to discuss her style of play, being a senior and the Gophers’ season to date.
Gophersports.com: You’re a Minnetonka, Minn. native what has it been like playing for your home state university these four years? Was it a dream of yours growing up?
Powers: Playing college softball was definitely a goal of mine growing up and playing for the Gophers in my home state has been a dream come true.
GS: Is the Colleen Powers cheering section pretty vocal at home games?
Powers: Actually, they have a name they’re called “C-Pow’s Posse.” They wear special T-shirts and everything!
GS: What is your M.O. as a player and how would you describe your style of play?
Powers: I play really hard and really scrappy. I take whatever I can get... Every inning of playing time I have really earned, and nothing has ever really been handed to me. My defense is what gets me out there, and I have to make sure I stay sharp out there. At the same time, I’m still an offensive threat because I’m so aggressive on the basepaths. I do have to “get lucky” to get on base sometimes... [Laughs]
GS: But this season, you have come up with a couple of clutch hits are you starting to come into your own a little bit in your fourth college season?
Powers: I struggled a little bit during preseason, but during the conference season I’ve been coming into my own at the plate. I’ve been more of a threat the past three weekends than I was early in the season.
GS: What’s your take on the Gophers’ performance so far this season?
Powers: I’m not surprised, but I’m happy that we’ve done so well so far this year. It’s great that we’ve been able to take such a young team and be successful. I feel like this is going to be the most successful season we’ve had in my time at the U of M. I knew it was coming all along, but it’s been a dream come true.
GS: As one of four seniors on this team, you’ve had to assume more of a leadership role. What has that been like?
Powers: I can definitely say that we’ve had leaders stepping up from both the junior and senior class. It’s been a lot of fun, and I give a lot of people credit for stepping up and assuming leadership roles this year.
Gophersports.com: You’re a Minnetonka, Minn. native what has it been like playing for your home state university these four years? Was it a dream of yours growing up?
Powers: Playing college softball was definitely a goal of mine growing up and playing for the Gophers in my home state has been a dream come true.
GS: Is the Colleen Powers cheering section pretty vocal at home games?
Powers: Actually, they have a name they’re called “C-Pow’s Posse.” They wear special T-shirts and everything!
GS: What is your M.O. as a player and how would you describe your style of play?
Powers: I play really hard and really scrappy. I take whatever I can get... Every inning of playing time I have really earned, and nothing has ever really been handed to me. My defense is what gets me out there, and I have to make sure I stay sharp out there. At the same time, I’m still an offensive threat because I’m so aggressive on the basepaths. I do have to “get lucky” to get on base sometimes... [Laughs]
GS: But this season, you have come up with a couple of clutch hits are you starting to come into your own a little bit in your fourth college season?
Powers: I struggled a little bit during preseason, but during the conference season I’ve been coming into my own at the plate. I’ve been more of a threat the past three weekends than I was early in the season.
GS: What’s your take on the Gophers’ performance so far this season?
Powers: I’m not surprised, but I’m happy that we’ve done so well so far this year. It’s great that we’ve been able to take such a young team and be successful. I feel like this is going to be the most successful season we’ve had in my time at the U of M. I knew it was coming all along, but it’s been a dream come true.
GS: As one of four seniors on this team, you’ve had to assume more of a leadership role. What has that been like?
Powers: I can definitely say that we’ve had leaders stepping up from both the junior and senior class. It’s been a lot of fun, and I give a lot of people credit for stepping up and assuming leadership roles this year.
Players Mentioned
OF
/ SoftballHighlights: Gophers 5, SIUE 0
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Highlights: Gophers 4, Indiana 6
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