MICHAEL KIRAL / L’Observateur / May 9, 1999

EDGARD – Growing up, Reshona Saul wanted to follow in the footsteps of her brother Dramar, a star football player at West St. John.Saul did just that, going on to an award-winning softball career with the Lady Rams. Now, Saul is following those footsteps to Mississippi ValleyState University.

Reshona Saul received a full scholarship this week to play softball at Mississippi Valley State. There, she will join Dramar, a junior on thefootball team who graduated from West St. John in 1994 after playingoffensive tackle for the Rams. Her first cousin, Anthony Saul, played forNicholls State after graduating from West St. John in 1993.”It kind of pushed me to work harder,” Reshona Saul said of having family succeed in athletics. “I saw what they had. I wanted to follow in theirfootsteps both academically and athletically.”Getting the opportunity to go to the same school as her brother was one of the reasons Reshona, who had also received attention from Grambling and Jackson State, chose Mississippi Valley State.

Saul signed her letter of intent and scholarship papers at a special ceremony in the West St. John library Tuesday morning.”I like the campus,” Saul said. “It’s a small environment. It was kind oflike here and the coaching staff was kind of like our coaching staff.

“I wanted to be with my brother, to have somebody to stick with me.”Saul was a four-year starter on the West St. John softball team, earningall-District 9-2A honors in 1998 while being selected as the team’s MVP.

She mostly caught but also saw action at third base. Saul also played twoyears on the volleyball team.

“Mississippi Valley is getting a real good player,” West St. John softballcoach Martin Sylvain said.

“She has an outstanding attitude.”Besides her ability on the field, Saul excelled in the classroom. She willgraduate next Saturday as an honor student.

Saul, who has been playing softball since the seventh grade, is looking forward to playing at the next level. The Mississippi Valley State coacheshave told her she has a good chance of possibly starting next year.

Mississippi Valley State, coached by Bernita Alexander, finished this past season at 10-25.

Saul is also planning to major in Sports Therapy and minor in Performing Arts.

“I’m looking forward to it,” Saul said of playing college softball. “It willbe challenging. Everything on the next level is challenging.”

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