Brownsville selects Bagwell, Vance
Saralynn Vance has been selected as Brownsville's spring representative in the Centennial Chevrolet Scholar/Athlete Spotlight program.
Brody Bagwell has been selected as Brownsville's spring representative in the Centennial Chevrolet Scholar/Athlete Spotlight program.
HILLER — Brownsville seniors Brody Bagwell and Saralynn Vance are on some of the most successful teams in their school and both have achieved an equal amount of accomplishments in the classroom.
For their success in the field and classroom, Bagwell and Vance have been selected as Brownsville’s spring representatives in the Centennial Chevrolet Scholar/Athlete Spotlight program.
Bagwell, who plays in the outfield for the baseball team, looks to become a pilot and plans on studying aviation administration in college. The son of Ashley and Boyd Bagwell is leaning towards attending Fairmont State, and would like to play baseball if the opportunity presents itself.
“I would definitely play baseball in college if I did any sport,” Bagwell said. “I haven’t signed or anything, but what I want to study is a big reason why I want to go there. They have a great program for aviation administration.
“I would really like to be a pilot. I just think it would be great to be able to fly around the world. I think it would be an exciting job. I am realistic when it comes to sports. I love baseball, but I know not too many guys get to play professionally.”
The Falcons won their fourth section championship in a row Friday after a 9-3 victory over Charleroi. Brownsville claimed the title outright after topping the Cougars.
Bagwell credits head coach Skooter Roebuck in keeping the Falcons’ winning tradition alive.
“He (Roebuck) must be doing something right with all those section titles,” Roebuck said. “He really isn’t the type of coach that yells a lot. He teaches you a lot and tells you what you did wrong and how to correct it.
“He is laid back, but not so much to the point where he doesn’t care. He is very encouraging and never says anything degrading. I think that is important in baseball because of the way the sport is played. This isn’t football where it is intense all the time.”
Bagwell looks forward to the playoffs, especially since he didn’t get to play in the postseason a year ago, and he hopes Brownsville can go all the way to the WPIAL title this year.
“I didn’t get to play last year in the playoffs because I had to go to the hospital and get my appendix taken out,” Bagwell said. “I am very excited to get to play this year, and I hope we can make another run. We would like to win the WPIAL title this year. We think we have a good chance. The goal from Day 1 is to win the WPIAL championship.”
Bagwell has played baseball since he was little, and was also on the football and soccer teams this past fall.
“It was pretty tough to do both sports,” said Bagwell in reference to juggling football and soccer. “I was always tired. I played wide receiver and safety, which was tough because most guys that play both sports usually just kick for the football team. The coaches were pretty understanding about me playing both sports.”
Vance has starred on the track & field and cross country teams the past four years, including placing 21st at the state meet in the fall. Vance is being honored for her success in track & field, but cross country remains her No. 1 sport.
“I have done well in track, but I am really more into cross country and have done better at it,” Vance said. “I started running track in middle school. I did hurdles, too, but I always did distance. It is great to have my sister to run with and all my teammates. We trained all summer and our mom takes us every Sunday to run trails with several people, including Trooper Matt Uram.”
The daughter of Susan DeWitt and Tim McDade enjoys running with her twin-sister, and the two will attend California University of Pennsylvania and continue their running careers.
“I went to camp several years at Cal and I am really familiar with the team and the coach,” Vance said. “Plus, my twin-sister, Jessica, is going to Cal and running as well. We really do everything together.”
Vance’s role model is current Vulcans star distance runner Julie Friend, who starred at Uniontown before graduating in 2013.
“I never got to run with Julie or anything like that, but I admire everything she has done,” Vance said.
Vance plans on studying early childhood education at Cal.
“I really like working with little kids, and I plan on teaching elementary school kids,” Vance said.
The Lady Falcons’ track & field team made it to the team playoffs, but were eliminated in the semifinals. Vance and her teammates are looking forward to the WPIAL Individual Championships on May 17 at Baldwin High School’s Stadium. She runs on the 3,200 relay team, and also competes in the 1,600. Brownsville’s personal record (PR) in the 3,200 relay is 10:20 and Vance’s PR in the mile is 5:40.
“It was great to go to the team playoffs in track,” Vance said. “We are excited to compete in the WPIAL Individual Championships.”
Bagwell’s parents have been his greatest influence as an athlete, and Vance credits her mom and pap, Sonny Orris, for being her greatest influence as an athlete.