A real power player

JoJo Medina's big swing helped take Chamberlain all the way to the state semis.

By TERRY JONES
Published June 11, 2005

TAMPA - Even with several top college prospects and exceptional players in Hillsborough County, JoJo Medina made the biggest impact on softball this past season.

When she plays first base, runners move with caution. When she is at the plate, pitchers and defensive players look nervous and fans yell, "just walk her."

Medina gives them good cause to yell. Her batting average for the season was .534 and she had 31 RBIs. Medina scored 28 runs, was walked 29 times and had an on-base percentage of .673.

Though she hit only five home runs, she blasted them at key times in big games. In the second inning of the region championship game against tough Lakeland George Jenkins, the Chiefs had two outs and a runner on first in a scoreless game. Then Medina blasted one over the leftfield fence. With a 2-0 lead in the fifth, she hit another homer with two runners on to put the game out of reach.

"Her great play on the field has been a big part of the success of this year's team," said coach Bob Diez, whose Chiefs reached the Class 5A semifinals. "We can get more good players, but what can't be replaced in JoJo has been her leadership.

"She is the first on the field and last to stop practicing. She set a hard work ethic that became contagious to the rest of the team. On and off the field and in the classroom, she led this team."

Medina was a four-year starter with the Chiefs. Last summer, she decided to play for the University of South Florida. She said the early selection was made to allow her the freedom to focus on her senior year and final prep softball season.

"I can tell you this, USF is getting one heck of an impact player for the next four years," Diez said.

"With all the exceptionally good softball players in Hillsborough County, it is quite an honor to be selected player of the year," Medina said. "Actually though, if the Chiefs had not done so well this year, I don't think I would have been considered, so I am just representing a lot of super teammates at Chamberlain."

Medina said her individual honor shouldn't overshadow how the team as a whole played.

"When I was made a co-captain (along with Ashley Arcuri) of this team, it was a humbling experience," said Medina, who graduated with a weighted 4.7 grade point average. "There are so many great players here; I consider it one of my most significant personal achievements to help lead them."

[Last modified June 11, 2005, 00:26:12]