WNCC's Winn named Region IX coach of the year

When WNCC softball coach Maria Winn-Ratliff became the head coach of the Cougar softball team three seasons ago, she had a dream of bringing the softball program to a new level.

Well, she definitely has accomplished that after this year’s team finished second at the Region IX tournament for a second straight year. More importantly, though, Winn-Ratliff has guided the team to a record-setting 36 win season.

For her efforts of making the Cougar softball team feared in the Region IX, the third-year coach was named Region IX coach of the year at last weekend's Region IX tournament by her fellow regional coaches. It is an honor that Winn-Ratliff really doesn’t want to bring up because it is the players that do the winning.

But, her players are thankful for her leadership on and off the field.

“Coach Winn is very deserving of this award. She pushes us when we need to be pushed,” Lauren Bourdon said in speaking for the rest of her team members. “It is a great honor and it was no surprise. She pus so much time and dedication on the field, in the classroom and in our lives here and is this award is what describes her: outstanding coach of the year.”

In three seasons at WNCC, Winn-Ratliff has a 86-76 record. She has improved the team’s winning each year. In 2005, her first year as a head coach, the team finished with a 23-30 mark. Two seasons ago, the team set a school record for wins (27-25-1) and also for home runs.

This year, both records fell again. This year’s Cougar team, comprised of just two sophomores – Jessica Ventoza and Ashley Eichelberger – broke both of last season’s records, going 36-21 with 41 home runs. The Cougars hammered 19 home runs at the 2-day regional tournament.

What makes Winn-Ratliff special to her players is her dedication to her players, whether on or off the field.

“Coach Winn is very deserving because she treats as like we are her own kids,” Jessie McNabb said. “She looks out for us when we are with her and when we are not with her. She puts in countless hours to make us the best players we can be.”

In fact, the team has succeeded in the classroom as well. For the past three years, the softball team as earned the award as the team with the highest grade point average. The team also has had 11 Region IX academic all-region players – five in 2005 and six in 2006. This year’s list has not been released as of yet, but seven players earned spots on either the college’s President’s or Dean’s list during the first semester.

Because of all that success, Jessica Ventoza, who transferred to WNCC this season, said this program wouldn’t be where it is today without Winn-Ratliff running the show.

“Coach has done a great job building this program and helping us on and off the field,” Ventoza said. “She not only is a great coach, but a great person as well. She is very deserving of this award.”