For Sarah West, her dream of playing softball for Ohio State was just that, a dream. She didn’t believe that she was good enough to make the team. Then, in 1998 when West was a senior at Hilliard High School, she received a letter that would change her life.

Not only would she proudly wear her scarlet and gray uniform, but for five years, she would have her tuition and books paid for.

“Sarah was dumb-founded when she found out and totally suprised,” said Shirley West, Sarah’s mother. “This had been her dream for so long.”

Sarah West began her softball career at the age of nine playing for the Hilliard Girls Softball Association. She stayed there until she was 13, then started playing for the Hilliard 14-and-under traveling team. She then played softball for Hilliard during her middle and high school years.

During her junior year at Hilliard High School, she was named All-District and All-League. During her senior year Sarah West was named All District and First Team All-State. Along with softball she played volleyball and basketball during high school.

“I love sports and I would play anything,” she said.

Shirley West said that sports brought her daughter confidence and allowed her to come out of her shell.

“Sarah is so shy and you can’t be timid on the field,” her mother said.

Sarah West agreed and said that it also helped her get along with others and work as a team.

When Sarah West started playing for the Buckeyes, she played first base. By her sophomore year, she was starting.

While playing for the Buckeyes, she has received several awards. In 2000, she was named the most improved player. In 2001, she was named Big Ten Player of the Week and All Tournament Team at the Georgia Tech tournament.

Linda Kalafatis, coach of the softball team, said that to this point in the year, Sarah West is having the kind of season every senior would hope for.

“Sarah is exceptionally good defensively. She is playing more aggressive than she ever has before,” said Kalafatis.

“She makes these plays that nobody else does,” she said.

Sarah West said that her biggest game at OSU was last year when the Buckeyes beat Michigan.

“We have never beat them since I have been here and that is all I wanted,” she said. “It was so awesome to be at home and hear all of the fans.”

Along with softball, West keeps up academically holding a 3.3 GPA while majoring in criminology and sociology.

“I am here to get a degree, not just play softball,” she said.

Shirley West said that her daughter does an excellent job of keeping her grades up.

“She works so hard and I have to just stand back in awe. I am highly impressed by all that she does. She doesn’t give any of it a second thought,” she said.

Lindsay Eckles, a junior in pre-med and Sarah West’s roommate, said that she is such a caring person.

“I don’t think anyone has ever had a negative comment about her. She is so dedicated and works hard on and off the field,” Eckles said.

After graduation, West plans on applying for the state highway patrol.

“I think that would be a job which would utilize my degrees and something I would enjoy,” she said.

She also wants to continue to play softball.

“I can’t not play. I guess I will play slow pitch with the old people,” she said.

Sarah West said that her plans for her final season as a Buckeye are what they have always been.

“I am going to improve as much as I can, but I am more toward team improvement. I want for us to win the Big Ten and make it to the NCAA tournament,” she said.