COLUMBIA, Mo. - This past June, Mizzou softball sophomore pitcher Paige Lowary was selected to the 2015 USA Softball Junior Women's National Team (JWNT). The southpaw Tiger hurler joined the JWNT roster later that month at the World Cup of Softball X.
Lowary is one of 20 student-athletes on the current JWNT roster, as the team is made up of the top up-and-coming talents in collegiate softball. Her selection to the USA roster was to no surprise of Mizzou softball faithful, as they witnessed a Freshman All-SEC honor campaign in her first year as a Tiger.
The Dallas Center, Iowa, native posted an 18-7 record, 3.40 ERA, and over a strikeout an inning (164 K in 162.2 IP) as a member of Mizzou's pitching rotation in 2015. Further accolades for Lowary included SEC Pitcher of the Week honors on Feb. 23 after going 3-0 with a 1.91 ERA at the 2015 Mary Nutter Classic, and SEC Co-Freshman of the Week honors on April 27 following a 3-0 record and 0.67 ERA stretch from April 20-26.
Following the Tigers' season finale last May, Lowary was back in action about a month later for the USA Softball JWNT. Beginning with the World Cup of Softball X in late June and early July, she has competed with her new team in two premier tournaments. Throughout the pair of events, Lowary earned two starts in the circle and gained invaluable experience with Team USA.
As Lowary and the JWNT prepare for their season finale from Aug. 9-15 at the WBSC Softball Junior Women's World Championships, the Mizzou softball sophomore knows her training and time with Team USA this summer is unparalleled.
"My first two starts were against the older U.S. National Team and Japan," Lowary recalled. "It was a really cool experience. It's such an honor to be a part of this team. It was one of my biggest dreams since I was a little girl – to play collegiate softball and make the JWNT. I also dream about one day playing for the U.S. National Team. Wearing USA across my chest is just an amazing feeling."
Lowary is just one of four players to receive time in the circle this summer for Team USA, and has certainly made an impact on the coaching staff. This year's JWNT is led by head coach Tairia Flowers, and the former USA National Team (2004 and 2008) and Olympic Gold medalist was quick to mention Lowary's positive contributions to the team.
"Paige has been a great addition to our Junior Worlds roster this summer," Flowers said. "She accepted her invitation when we had some injuries, and has really started to bond with her teammates through the World Cup and training camps. She will most definitely be an asset to our staff during the World Championships next week in OKC, as we work hard to bring the Gold back to the U.S."
With her JWNT tenure coming to a close next week, Lowary is set to return to Columbia, Mo., later this month and begin preparation for her sophomore season in Mizzou black and gold.
The Tigers claimed 42 wins a season ago, and took home their seventh NCAA Regional title in the past eight years. Head Coach Ehren Earleywine will once again have a loaded lineup and deep pitching staff at his disposal, as Mizzou is primed to be a national contender in 2016.
Lowary and the rest of her returning teammates know they have a special group heading into next season, and are looking forward to taking the Tiger program to the next level.
"I'm looking forward to getting back at it," Lowary said. "We didn't get to where we wanted to last year, and we all have that drive to make it to the Women's College World Series in 2016. We have a lot of expectations, and we all have to work harder to reach those goals."