East County Athlete of the Week: Kelsey Vogel

Kelsey Vogel is a senior second baseman and shortstop on the Lakewood Ranch High softball team. Vogel is a four-year varsity player and signed with North Florida in November. The Mustangs, who won the 2021 Florida High School Athletic Association Class 7A state championship, will begin their title defense at 7 p.m. Feb. 21 at home against Inspiration Academy. 

When did you start playing softball? 

When I was 5 years old. It was the first sport my family ever had me try. I later tried gymnastics for two weeks but I quit because I loved softball too much. 

What is the appeal to you?

I love the adrenaline it gives you so much. Playing in a 1-1 game or any close game is great. I love winning those types of games with my teammates. 

What is your best skill?

My best skill is my fast hands and how I move through the infield to get to grounders. That is something I have improved since working with (assistant coach) Paulo Reis and Coach (T.J.) Goelz. 

What have you been working to improve?

This offseason I have been trying to barrel the ball more at the plate. I want to hit line drives consistently instead of trying to hit a home run every time. 

What is your favorite memory?

It is winning the state championship last year, for sure. That moment is still tough to put into words. Everything we had worked toward for three years paid off. 

Is the team feeling any pressure to repeat as state champions?

I think some of the younger players are feeling it a little, like they have something to live up to. There is a target on our back but it's one that we should be proud of having. We will continue to have it through the season and we will get used to it. 

Why did you want to sign with North Florida?

The campus is beautiful. It's right there on the water in Jacksonville. The coaches made it feel like home right away. It's one big family there. 

What are your goals for the season?

We want to finish all the way through everything. We want to focus on every practice rep. We don't want anyone to start slacking or living off what we did last year. We want everyone to play the same way so we can try to win it again. 

What is your favorite food?

I love Chick-fil-A. I could eat it every single day. 

What is your favorite TV show?

Lately I have been watching 'Criminal Minds' and I like that a lot. 

Which superpower would you pick?

I would want to read people's minds so I can know what they are thinking about me. 

What is the best advice you have received?

Do a little a lot, which means to do a little bit of a lot of different things every day. That is advice that Coach Reis gave me and it has helped me get better at softball. 

Finish this sentence: Kelsey Vogel is …

… a go-with-the-flow person.