2020 Senior Spotlight: Lauren Cutshaw
Louisburg Sports Zone will be running senior spotlights through April and May everyday (Monday through Friday) in an effort to honor seniors who had their seasons taken away due to the spread of COVID-19.
Softball was a way of life for Lauren Cutshaw, and it has been ever since she was a little kid.
Starting in T-Ball, and working her way up through the softball ranks, it has provided her with a getaway and her passion for the sport only grew as she got older.
“Softball has always been a huge part of my life, and my family’s life for years and years,” Cutshaw said. “I played competitive softball year-round and summer it was softball every, and all weekend. I would practice during the week, along with catching and hitting lessons with former Royals catcher Mike Macfarlane.
“Softball was a life commitment for me. In the fall and spring it was the same thing, but I loved it. I had some great relationships with my teammates spending so much time together and we all had so much fun. I sure am going to miss this sport. It really was a piece of me for so long and my family was always there with me.”
Fast forward to her junior year in high school and Cutshaw had one of the best moments in her young life. Cutshaw and the Louisburg softball team upset their way to a regional championship in Ottawa and earned a spot in the state tournament for the first time since 2014.
The Lady Cats defeated Ottawa and then rallied for a win against Chanute in the championship to advance to state.
“My favorite memory would have to be regionals junior year because in high school that is the best we have ever played as a team,” Cutshaw said. To come out and beat the odds of winning was just so amazing. (Coach John) Ozier was so proud of us, and what a way to go with that being his last season as our coach. I was so happy to be a part of our team going to state and it made it even more special for me that I caught all the regional games. It was so much fun and I am glad I have those memories.”
For her senior season, the Lady Cats welcomed former JV coach Nick Chapman as the team’s new varsity coach and Cutshaw was excited to see what her final year had in store.
“I was looking forward to my senior season way more than any other season,” Cutshaw said. “I knew that Chapman had been working ever since the end of last season as soon as he found out he was going to be head coach. He worked so hard for this season to be different than any other one. We were all so lucky to have a coach this dedicated. We were working hard toward another chance at state this season, and Chapman never let us forget that we were playing for a purpose and together as a team.”
Cutshaw was slated to play a vital role on the team as she would split time at catcher with fellow senior Reilly Ratliff-Becher and would also see time in the outfield. It was a role that she accepted and embraced and she was one of seven seniors on this year’s Lady Cat team.
“Lauren was another great senior leader for us,” Chapman said. “She dedicated herself to getting better each and every day. She played a role in helping start to change the culture of this program. Lauren led with actions every day, on and off the field, and she brought humor and cheerfulness that made practices fun.”
After a couple weeks of practices, many of the players realized this season was never going to happen. Over spring break, the players were informed by Chapman that their season was canceled due to the spread of COVID-19.
It was difficult news to take, especially for Cutshaw, as the sport she loved growing up would be prematurely taken from her. There will be no more softball in her future, but despite the heartache, she is learning and growing from this experience.
“Pretty much the only way to deal with the cancellation of the season is to know that this is all God’s plan,” Cutshaw said. “He has greater things in store and bigger plans than we can imagine and he is in control. Senior year is just a little glimpse of life and all that will happen and you can’t let one hardship set you back from what all you can do. I have been praying and just trying to make the best out of this terrible situation.”
Other than softball, Louisburg Sports Zone also had a chance to catch up with Lauren on how she has been coping with an early end to her senior year and some of her other interests. Here are her responses from the rest of our Q&A.
LSZ: What have you been missing the most during this time away from everyone?
LC: I miss all my friends and the time together as a team. I miss the coaches because they were so impactful to us. Practices were so fun this year, we listened to music while getting a lot of practice in. I looked forward to all the new drills and things we did and Chapman was such a fun coach. I could already tell that this season was going to be my favorite. Chapman had put so much heart into this season for us girls, so it makes me sad knowing I will never get to know the outcome.
LSZ: What is your most memorable moment as an athlete or in school, and why?
LC: Going to football games and dressing up for the different themes.
LSZ: What is your favorite activity/hobby outside of sports and why?
LC: I love shopping and hanging out with my friends, I love being social and in the summer I enjoy going swimming and occasionally go fishing.
LSZ: What are your plans for after graduation?
LC: I plan to attend Missouri State University and work towards my Bachelor of Science in Nursing. Although I will not be playing softball in college, it was one of the hardest and drawn out decisions I’ve ever made. I had to come to the realization that my career and education is what is more important and I did not want the hassle of trying to do both, especially with nursing. I had multiple people, even college coaches, tell me that wasn’t a good idea.
LSZ: What accomplishments that don’t involve athletics are you most proud of and why?
LC: I am proud to say that I have my CNA license and I’ve had it since junior year and I am in the process now to get my CMA. I really enjoy working in healthcare and cannot wait to become a nurse and learn so much to be able to help people.
LSZ: What do you think would be something that a lot of people don’t know about you?
LC: Most people only think i’m a girly girl, but i love catching craw dads in the creek and snakes don’t bother me.
Lauren’s Favorites
Pro athlete: Salvador Perez
Pro team: N/A
College team: N/A
Movie: Grown Ups
TV Show: Grey’s Anatomy
Song: Blessings by Florida Georgia Line
Band/Musician: Jason Aldean
Pregame meal/snack: Spicy Italian Subway sandwich with Cheetos
Class/subject: Allied Health Program that I took at FSCC through the high school.
Teacher and why: Mrs. Quinn, she has been an amazing advisory teacher all four years and she always made class fun, too.
Previous Senior Spotlights
Anthony Davis – Track and Field