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Spunky Rios a real catch for 'Runners

By Jaclyn Loveless

If you’re wondering why softball player Jenny Rios is all aglow, it’s because she recently hit the first home run of her college career. “I’m on a high right now,” she said.

  Standing at nearly 5-feet tall, Rios is the only senior on the team and feels an instinctive responsibility. “If I don’t get a base hit, I’m letting the team down,” she said. “We keep each other in line.”

  Rios not only feels pressure from being the sole senior on the team, but also she gets it from her coach. “She (Cathy Welter) knows her stuff big time. She’s tough on me. But, I think it just makes me stronger.”

  Welter said the right-fielder has defiantly stepped up to bat in terms of leadership. “Because of her experience she has felt a responsibility to her team. She has a good work ethic and has been a solid player over the years.”

  Welter said Rios is having a great year and has watched her grow physically stronger and develop a better knowledge of the game. “She has a lot of enthusiasm. She’s like a spark plug and gets people fired up,” Welter said.

 Rios, originally from Reedley, has been on the team since her freshman year at CSUB. Welter discovered Rios at a recruiting camp and offered her a scholarship. Rios didn’t want to go too far away from home, “I’m a momma’s girl,” she laughed.

  The self-proclaimed tomboy has two older brothers and said she had no choice in the matter when it came to playing sports. “They beat me up every day,” she said. “I learned how to be tough.” Rios said her family has been her biggest influence and had her involved in sports ever since she can remember.

  Although Rios is upbeat and friendly, don’t think she plays that way on the field. “I’m a totally different person on and off the field. I’m crazy,” she said. Rios said her team loves facing competition and they hardly ever get intimidated. “Everyone always gets ready when they know they’re playing us.”

  The physical education and kinesiology major plans to graduate sometime next year and wants to teach and coach.

Welter has no doubt Rios will have continued success in the future. “She has a lot of personal qualities for what it takes to be a good physical education teacher and I think she will be a strong coach in the future.”

  Rios is uncertain if she’ll be back on the team next season but knows it won’t be easy to say goodbye. “I just love this game. It’ll be hard because we’re all so close.”