Softball

Last year’s District and State Physical Education Teacher of the Year, Olenchick will remain at Sissonville as a physical education instructor, athletic director, and basketball coach. The part-time softball position at UC was previously held by Karen Pauley.

-"This is exciting," Olenchick said. "I always wanted to try coaching at this level. It’s been a dream of mine. I’m thankful that UC gave me the opportunity."

Olenchick excelled on both the softball diamond and basketball court under the direction of legendary UC Coach Bud Francis from 1980-84 and was inducted into the Golden Eagle Sports Hall of Fame in 2000. Olenchick, a four-time All-WVIAC Softball First Team selection for the Golden Eagles, was a dominating pitcher who was instrumental in helping to lead UC to regular season championships in 1982 and 1983 and a tournament championship in 1983. As a four-year letterwinner and point guard in basketball, Olenchick eclipsed the 1,000 point mark and is currently ranked in the All-Time Top 10 in three statistical categories.

Throughout her athletic career at UC, Olenchick earned several awards, including the Golden Eagle Award (1982, 1984) and the Heart and Hustle Award in the WVIAC Tournament (1981). Olenchick also participated in national tournaments in her respective sports earning two NAIA District 28 titles in basketball (1983, 1984) and a berth in the NAIA National Basketball Championship and an appearance in the NAIA World Series.

Olenchick has high expectations for her program at UC. "I believe we have 14 coming back and four freshmen signed," Olenchick said.

Olenchick’s UC squad will be extremely young. With only a handful of upperclassmen returning, the foundation of her program will be sophomores, who played key roles last season in helping to lead UC (19-21, 10-13) to a ninth place WVIAC finish.

Already focused on fall ball and the hope of signing a few late prospects, Olenchick is looking forward to the opportunity to resurrect UC’s program and return it to national prominence. "Our goal will be to finish higher than we did before. We’ll have a goal to win the (West Virginia) Conference. Anything after the conference is a bonus," Olenchick said.

Olenchick gladly welcomes the chance to return to postseason play in softball. After competing in the NAIA World Series in Omaha, Nebraska, Olenchick is eager to help give her new team the same opportunity. "It was so exciting playing there," Olenchick said.

"That’s what I want the girls to experience. That’s something they can always remember," Olenchick said.