2008 Woodie Awards
Freshman shatters stolen bases record with speed, aggressiveness
By Rebecca Olesky
Rocket Contributor
Issue date: 4/27/07 Section: Sports
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She just recently broke the stolen bases record for the Rock.
The old record was set in 2004 by Shannon Tagliaferri with a record of 16 swipes on 21 attempts.
Currently, Vincent has 27 stolen bases and has only been gunned down on the basepaths once this season.
"It feels great to break a record that was set three years ago, especially when you are only a freshman," Vincent said. "I love stealing, and when I get on base, I wait anxiously for the steal sign from coach."
So, what does it mean to actually steal a base?
Vincent said that stealing bases is not always easy. What it is, is moving into scoring position and not having a force play at two bases.
"I basically love stealing," Vincent said. "There is nothing better than breaking a record for something that I love doing."
Her coach, Vashion Johnson, said he is amazed by her ability to steal bases in her first year at the collegiate level.
"It is a great milestone to have someone on your team breaking records," Johnson said. "The team takes much interest in it and it gives the player the drive to work hard for something."
When it comes to breaking the record, she said she didn't even notice at first that she had done it, though her teammates were very excited for her.
"The team was very supportive when I broke the record," Vincent said. "When I broke the record, I didn't even realize I broke a record until someone said, 'Congratulations on breaking the record!' It is just so hard to keep track. But at the end of the day, I feel as I have accomplished something and feel like I am doing what I need to do."
Johnson said he didn't know if Vincent had been aware of the record at the time, either.
"I don't even think she even noticed what she did," Johnson said.
Vincent, a social work major, is a 2006 graduate of Wilmington (Pa.) High School.
In high school, she was a four-year letterwinner in softball. In her junior year, she earned Second Team All-Conference honors.
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