Local spiker signs letter of intent

Former Wasilla High standout Lindsey Shogren has signed a National Letter of Intent to join Hutchinson Community College for the 2003-2004 season.

The former Warrior captain and All-Region athlete will have the opportunity to compete immediately for the Kansas junior college.

"As long as I go down and prove myself and prove that I can play, there is a position waiting for me," Shogren said. "It gives me a good tingly geeling that I will be put in a position to be starting middle."

The two-year school should only have six sophomores on the 2003-2004 roster. Shogren will be competing for a starting middle blocker position, a spot that is currently vacant.

Hutchinson CC has been known as a volleyball power at the junior college level. The school annually produces Division I talent. Shogren, who has already been courted by various Division I schools, chose Hutchinson with a future Division I career in mind.

"Hutchinson has a lot of success sending players to Division I colleges," Shogren said.

The Blue Dragons finished the 2003 season with a 32-17 record and advanced to the national junior college tournament.

During Shogren's career she has been named team captain, All-Region and to numerous All-Tournament teams.

Shogren also helped lead the Warriors to a Region III and 4A state title during her junior year.

Shogren led her team in both blocks and kills during her senior campaign.

Shogren began her volleyball career in junior high. While a seventh grader, Shogren's club volleyball coach told her she had the potential to play Division I volleyball and she should be active in the sport year-round.

Shogren also becomes the first Burchell Alternative School student to sign a National Letter of Intent. Though she is a student at Burchell, Shogren competed on the hardwood for Wasilla. Since Burchell does not have any varsity athletic programs, students of the school are allowed to compete for the school in the area they reside in as long as they meet the school district's requirements for competing in athletics.

"We are really excited," Burchell assistant principal Scott Warner said. "Lindsey is known, liked and respected. Other students here will see it's possible to succeed."

According to Warner there are about a dozen Burchell students who are active in varsity sports in the local schools.