It’s been a year to remember for former San Benito High and Gavilan College standout Paige Miguel.
Miguel, who is leaving for William Penn University in Iowa on Sunday, not only had a tremendous sophomore softball season, but she was productive off the field, too. For her efforts, Miguel was named Gavilan’s 2013-14 Student-Athlete of the Year.
“I really do owe this award to (Gavilan softball coach) Nikki (Dequin),” Miguel said. “Nikki makes sure the players excel on the field, in the classroom and in the community as well. It’s great to win the award, but it wouldn’t have been possible without Nikki, my teammates and my family.”
Gavilan first started the award in the 2008-09 school year, teaming up with Famous Dave’s BBQ and Articulate Solutions to honor students for their accomplishments on and off the field.
The award is based primarily on four areas: academic achievement, leadership, athletic contributions and involvement in the community. For winning the award, Miguel landed a spiffy bonus: a $100 certificate to eat at Famous Dave’s, which she promptly used on Wednesday night.
On the field this past season, Miguel was the ace of the Rams’ pitching staff, finishing 20-6, completing 19 of her 29 starts while recording a 2.59 ERA. She also hit .308 with 23 RBI and 30 runs scored to help lead the Rams to their first conference championship in 30 years.
It was a splendid turnaround for Miguel, who transferred in from Hartnell College and sat out the 2013 season to focus on her grades. It was Miguel’s turnaround in the classroom that was most impressive of all—she accumulated a 3.19 GPA, including a 3.7 mark for this past spring semester.
After struggling at times in school, Miguel’s work in the classroom was a testament to her renewed focus and determination to improve herself in every phase of her life.
“I haven’t always been the best student, and that’s where Nikki helped me a lot,” Miguel said. “She’s such a great motivator and a very determined person, and I think a lot of that rubbed off on me. She’s been such a great mentor to me, and I was able to pick up my grades because of her help.”
Once a week throughout the school year, Miguel and her teammates went to an elementary school in Gilroy to teach kids the importance of being active, supporting teammates and focusing on school.
When Miguel leaves for Iowa on Sunday, it promises to be a moment filled with emotion. After all, Miguel has lived in Hollister her entire life, growing up on her grandpa’s ranch with her parents and two younger siblings.
Even though Miguel will be far from home, she knows she will only grow from the experience.
“It is going to be very hard to leave my family, my home town and my ranch,” she said. “But my parents raised us three with faith in God, so I know we will all have peace soon that this is God’s path for me. And I have to thank them for always supporting me in softball, academics and my decision to go to William Penn.”
