By ANDREW CRUM, Staff Writer
Port Isabel softball standout Marina Wise-Herring wanted to make a decision about her future before the season started.
The senior pitcher and outfielder did just that, making official her decision to play softball for Austin College during a signing ceremony Wednesday at Port Isabel.
Wise-Herring, who is ranked second in her senior class, earned an academic scholarship to attend the NCAA Division III School in Sherman.
“It’s very relieving to have this out of the way,” she said. “Now I can just focus on my senior season and getting better for college.”
Another benefit for Wise-Herring was that her cousin is a member of the football team, and she has family members close by.
It was especially a proud moment for her coach, Danno Wise, who is also her father.
“We’ve had a few players signed the last couple years, and it always feels great to see the girls get a chance to realize their dreams,” the Port Isabel coach said. “I’m very proud of her as a parent and as a coach.”
Wise has coached his daughter and several of her teammates since the beginning of their softball careers. Now Wise-Herring and four of her senior teammates, who have all started on the varsity since they were freshmen, have set the standard a bit higher.
“Before they were freshmen, P.I. never had a winning record,” Wise said. “Now they’ve won district twice, once a runner-up and been to the playoffs every year. This was a group that has really established the program.”
Wise-Herring was initially drawn to Austin College because of its academic standards.
“They have very rigorous academics,” the senior said.
Wise-Herring, who plans to double major in media studies and communications, wants to become a journalist.
She was recruited as both a pitcher and outfielder. It important for her to have the opportunity to play each position for Kangaroos coach Andrea Vangoss, who has been the coach at Austin College for four years.
“I’m very comfortable (pitching or playing outfield), and I’m ready to do whatever they need me to do,” Wise-Herring said.
Wise-Herring received a few other offers but decided Austin College was where she wanted to go.
“It was a good fit, it’s pretty small, and I come from Port Isabel, so it’s going to be a better transition, I think,” she said. “Everyone seems very active and always doing something, and I feel everyone is very close and that’s very important to me.
“I felt that Austin just suited me better, and I felt more comfortable.”
Andrew Crum covers sports for The Brownsville Herald. You can reach him at (956) 982-6629 or via email at [email protected]. On Twitter he’s @andrewmcrum.