By Blake Chadwick

Junior Oliva Navarro is a catcher and third baseman for Bishop Carroll, who has been playing the sport year-round for 13 years since she was three. It was in her blood to play softball, and she didn’t plan on stopping as she continued to follow in her sister’s footsteps.

On an outstanding team, Navarro knows what she brings to the table on and off the diamond.

“I feel like I am important to my team by keeping the morale high and bringing in hits and keeping the energy up,” Navarro said.

With the diamond being almost like a second home to her, she has noticed the evolution of her game help her reach new heights.

Navarro knows she has what it takes to play college softball despite being just a junior.

“My personal goals are to go far in my softball career, continue to college, do my best, and encourage younger girls to join softball,” Navarro said.

After a 21-2 season and a first-place berth at state, the Golden Eagles were upset by Shawnee Heights 4-2. Shawnee Heights would lose in the next round to Eisenhower, but would bounce back with a third-place win over Salina South.

Ever since the heartbreaking loss, the work hasn’t stopped for any of the returning Bishop Carroll softball players, especially Navarro.

“My team goal is for us to win games this spring and to become better than when we started and to grow as a team and as a family,” Navarro said.