Cathedral Prep softball pitcher Jenna Wagner commits to Division I St. Joseph's
Jenna Wagner had a problem ― albeit an enviable one ― while she decided where to play college softball.
Wagner had Division I offers to pitch for Hofstra University outside New York City or in-state at Philadelphia's St. Joseph's University.
More: Meet the 2022 District 10 Softball All-Stars and region all-stars
Wagner sought out Reagan Rand for advice. Not only because the recent Harbor Creek graduate is about to start her college softball career at Division I Seton Hall, but because of the rapport they developed as members of the Team Pennsylvania, a travel softball program.
“Reagan (was on) an older team for the organization, but we did work out together in the bullpen,” Wagner said. “She's one of the best catchers ever in the Erie area, and she's been my best friend for four years.”
Super excited and blessed to announce that I will be furthering my academic and athletic career playing division 1 softball at Saint Joseph’s University! I want to thank my parents for always supporting me and all the coaches who have helped me along the way! @SJUHawks_SB 🦅 pic.twitter.com/XgtFvGLEbd
— Jenna Wagner (@Jenna44Wagner) August 30, 2022
Rand's counsel helped Wagner choose St. Joe's. The Cathedral Prep senior tweeted her verbal commitment to the Hawks, a member of the Atlantic 10 Conference, and coach Erin Brooks.
St. Joseph's went 23-23 this past season including 14-8 in the Atlantic 10.
Wagner plans to sign her national letter of intent in November. It's likely, by the spring of 2024, that the all-District 10 returnee will the have pitched for three different schools in as many years.
Villa Maria won the district's Class 4A tournament this past spring around the same time the Catholic Diocese of Erie closed the school.
More: 'We want to make our Villa sisters proud.' Villa Maria takes D-10 Class 4A softball title
Wagner is among the female students who are about to start classes at Prep, which will have a coed campus for the first time in its 101-year history.
Wagner should be the ace for the Ramblers' inaugural softball team this coming spring. By then, she'll have a new coach to go with her new orange-and-black uniform colors.
More:What's orange, black, blue and white and has horns? Cathedral Prep unveils new athletic logos
Bri Curtis resigned after one year to become a graduate assistant for Dan Gierlak, the veteran coach of Edinboro University's softball program. She was in the Victors' dugout for the finale to their historic 2021 season.
Wagner was the winning pitcher for most of victories in their 17-4 record.
“I'm incredibly proud of Jenna (for being) the leader she was and the teammate she was,” Curtis said. “She's going to do incredible things and I'm looking forward to watching her.
“I knew she was going to compete at a high level. There was never a doubt in my mind.”
Wagner said the aura of softball, combined with the challenge of pitching in games, are what drew her to that sport and position.
However, she recently realized her thoughts had evolved beyond competing in D-I softball.
“I wanted to show other girls in Erie who are playing now, and who dream of playing at a higher level, that you can do it,” Wagner said. “You can get out of Erie and play somewhere.”
Wagner plans to major in physical therapy and become an athletic trainer.
Contact Mike Copper at mcopper@timesnews.com. Follow him on Twitter @ETNcopper.
This article originally appeared on Erie Times-News: Cathedral Prep's Jenna Wagner commits to D-I St. Joseph's softball
