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Sowder Finds Success
by Steve Ramirez, Whittier Daily News
May 8, 2007
Kim Sowder is one of the lucky ones.
She truly enjoys what she does for a living. The former Hacienda Heights
Wilson High School softball star is in her first season as head softball
coach at Long Beach State, and she's having the time of her life.
"I'm really enjoying it," said the former Kim Kostyk, who succeeded
long-time 49ers coach Pete Manarino this season. "It's been a great
experience. I'm learning a lot."
Sowder arguably was one of the top players ever at Wilson. She was just
as solid in her playing days at Long Beach State, where she earned All-America
honors in 1991. She still holds the school record for stolen bases in
a season with 19 and was inducted into the school's athletics Hall of
Fame in 1998.
Ironically, making a living in softball never crossed her mind while she
was tearing up the softball fields at Wilson during the late 1980s.
"Back in high school, I never gave coaching much thought," Sowder
said. "I've always loved the game and enjoyed talking about it, from
the strategies, the players ... everything. I made it a big part of my
life.
"Then when I finished college, I thought I would give (coaching)
a try."
Through her connections playing at Long Beach State and ASA travel ball
in the summer, Sowder landed an assistant job at University of Pacific
before coming back to Long Beach State as an assistant in 1995. She was
promoted to associate head coach in 2003 and was named 49ers head coach
in August.
"I just try to focus on what I need to do and do the best I can,"
Sowder said. "I haven't really focused on following (Manarino). I
just want to keep the program strong and get us back to the College World
Series.
"Pete was a great coach. I respect what he did and I learned a lot
from him, but I'm just trying to move forward."
The 49ers are moving forward. After a sluggish start in which it won just
six of its first 19 games, Long Beach State has come on strong to win
19 of its last 29. The 49ers came into this past weekend still in contention
for a Big West Conference title and a NCAA playoff berth.
"The season's going great," Sowder said. "We got off to
a slow start. I expected that because a lot of new positions needed to
be filled. I knew it would take a while. I knew we had to learn how to
play together and we've grown and are playing great.
"We still have a chance to go to the playoffs. We need to continue
to do what we've done the last month and see what happens. We're playing
great softball and we've beat a lot of good teams. We just have to continue
to do that."
Sowder is certain to have the 49ers ready.
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