Iowa native led Texas to Women's College World Series title

Teagan Kavan did not compete as a high schooler on the softball diamond. But the Dowling Catholoc High School graduate definitely made a name for herself long before arriving at Texas.

Kavan was recently named the most outstanding player as the Longhorns captured their first-ever softball World Series championship. The sophomore put together a 2-0 record in the championship series, besting player of the year NiJaree Canady of Texas Tech along the way.

While attending high school in Iowa, Kavan opted to not pitch for her prep school and instead play travel ball. Iowa is the lone state that still has high school softball and baseball during the summer months.

The Longhorns were able to secure the services of the 6-foot right-hander. She was named to the Softball America Freshman All-American team last season and earned second team All-American honors this year.

Kavan went 28-5 inside the circle this past year, striking out 230 batters with an earned run average of 2.16. She logged just under 32 innings during the WCWS, striking out 21 while not allowing an earned run. 

During a post-game interview with ESPN after defeating Texas Tech, Kavan spoke about her head coach, Mike White, who had made eight previous WCWS trips without claiming a title.

"Without Coach White, I don't know if we're here," Kavan said. "He's the best. He's so competitive. He wants it just as bad as we do, of course, and he pushes us to be better every day. He makes me a better pitcher mentally and physically.

"And so, there's no one else I'd rather play for."