Since joining the varsity ranks of TWCA softball, Alexis Osterhaus was almost instantly on an upward trajectory.
This past year, the senior infielder was a key factor in the team’s sudden revival, evidenced by her first-team, all-district recognition, in addition to getting an all-state honorable mention nod.
There was some question as to where she would ultimately take her talents at the conclusion of her career – but no longer.
As of the beginning of August, Osterhaus has committed to continue her playing career with Army West Point.
“I’ve always wondered what my purpose was, and I’d continuously pray about it and ask God where my path leads,” she said. “Then one day, during school chapel, I felt Him telling me I should take my academic and athletic ability somewhere greater than a normal four-year university.
“I wanted something more than that, and West Point offered me that – the ability to serve in the army while also playing Division-I softball. I felt like that would be the greatest honor, and that’s the challenge I decided to put on myself. Plus, my mom served with the Navy for eight years, and she’s been my biggest inspiration.”
As a whole, the Joshua Culp-led softball program experienced, perhaps, the most successful season seen in the past decade, having advanced two rounds deep in the TAPPS-5A playoffs.
Now that a new school year begins, the leaders of the team will ensure that this past Spring wasn’t a fluke.
“We’re definitely emphasizing the need to get in the weight room,” said Osterhaus. “I feel like everything relates to your overall strength, because if you address that in training, swinging a bat and throwing a ball should come naturally.
“The biggest thing, this past year, was the sense of community we felt. The whole school would come out and cheer for us on, which is something we haven’t necessarily felt as much in years past. But, they were behind us and I know that, with the bonds we’ve built since, it will play a factor this upcoming Spring.”
As she prepares to embark upon the final stretch of her high school career, Osterhaus has been presented with the opportunity to consider the time she has left as a Warrior.
“I’m sad about it, for sure,” she said. “But, I don’t want to live in the future. I want to exist in the moment and take things in as they come, so that I can truly enjoy my last year at TWCA. This senior year is going to be about making the best memories with the people I love most.”
Speaking of memories, Osterhaus was emphatic as to which she holds in the highest esteem.
“For softball, I’m going to miss the times we all walk off the bus into Chick-Fil-A before games, with just our socks on and no shoes,” she laughed. “One other memory I’m definitely going to remember forever is when we had brisket night at one of our games.
“A coach gave me a brisket sandwich in the middle of the game because I was hungry. Then, I was up to bat, still chewing, and I hit a home run. From then on, everyone was calling me ‘The Brisket Girl’ because I eat food and hit home runs.”
Osterhaus will have an entire year to make more, with both the TWCA softball and soccer teams.
Only now, she’ll have a place to call home, in which she’ll undertake a higher purpose.