Flanagan’s Plan: Versatile Woodland senior a softball player first

The coach who recruited her, who first offered her — the one she said yes to — was let go by the university long before signing day. It took a couple months before a new coach was hired.

“That was pretty scary. I didn’t have a coach. I didn’t know if the new coach was going to honor the scholarship,” Flanagan said.

When Geoff Hirai was hired, he got in contact with all the recruits. Flanagan said the two of them connected right away, and the offer remained.

“He’s very knowledgeable and pretty intense,” Flanagan said. “I like that.”

She signed in November.

“I’d always dreamed of going to college, of being a college athlete,” she said. “I finally put it in stone.”

With that taken care of, she could concentrate on her final year at Woodland. Her dad, two uncles, and two aunts attended Woodland. She says it is an honor to represent the same school as her family.

Now, she is hoping to lead the Beavers back to the state tournament. It won’t be easy. There are three seniors, two sophomores, and seven freshmen on the squad.

They do have tradition, and they have Flanagan.

The Beavers have finished second, third, and fourth at state in the past three seasons.

“Those are some of my best memories,” she said.

She hopes to add more memories. The young team is headed in the right direction, she said.

“The goal is definitely still to get to state,” Flanagan said. “We’re not a championship team yet.”

Her role is more than just playing catcher for the Beavers and getting on base at an uncanny rate. She has to be a leader.

“I’m just trying to help them and make sure they work hard but still have a love for the game,” Flanagan said. “I want them to be having fun. There needs to be a balance between fun and hard work. That’s what I’m trying to make the underclassmen understand.”

Next year, they’ll have to carry on without Flanagan.

“I get it, it’s my last year, but it hasn’t hit me yet,” she said. “It’s going to be very different next year.”

Flanagan has been a center fielder and a catcher at Woodland and plays shortstop on her club team. She has no idea what position she will be playing at Seattle U.

“I don’t care. As long as I’m on the field, I’ll be happy,” she said.

Besides, she will have plenty of time to learn any position on the field.

Starting next school year, Jessica Flanagan really can specialize in a sport that is so special to her.

What to watch for this softball season

Southwest So Strong: For more than a decade now, Southwest Washington has been known for its high school softball. So many teams have reached at least the state’s final four through the years. No reason to think this year will be any different. Whoever makes it out of the 4A GSHL is a threat to go on a long run at state. Same with the 3A GSHL. Woodland has made going to state an annual event in 2A (although this year’s squad is young), and in Class 1A, look out for La Center. That’s a championship contender there