INSTITUTE, W.Va. -- The West Virginia State University softball team was expected to be led by its three seniors this spring. The trio included pitcher
Emily Thompson, catcher
Madison Rafuson, and infielder
Shian Meeks.There was no doubt that each one of them would have played critical roles during the 2020 season. Both Thompson and Rafuson were 2019 All-MEC Second Team selections while Meeks played in all 22 games of the 2020 campaign with 21 starts.
"This group of seniors has seen it all: from falling short to winning a conference championship and leaving a legacy for future Jackets to continue to build on," said Head Coach
Mattie Best. "I am extremely proud of all three of them both on and off the field."
During their sophomore year, the Yellow Jackets were MEC Tournament champions and appeared in the NCAA Division II Atlantic Region 2 Tournament. During their junior year, West Virginia State claimed its first-ever MEC South Division title after going 23-8 in league play and advanced to the finals of the regional tournament. WVSU was then picked to top the South Division once again in this year's MEC Preseason Poll.Their senior year certainly held high expectations with all signs pointing to another run at the conference and regional titles.
Get to know each senior better with the following profiles that include some personal information, their favorite things, what defines them, and a few statistics that stood out over their careers:
Emily Thompson, No. 6, Pitcher
Hometown: Wayne, W.Va.
High School: Wayne
Family: Daughter of Roger and Angelia Thompson … Siblings: Carrie, Perry, and Kaylee Thompson
Major: Elementary Education
Emily Thompson has been a work horse in the circle for us, pushing through adversity in her five years at State.
-Mattie Best
Favorites
TV Show: Criminal Minds
Movie: Any Disney Movie
Music Artist: Carrie Underwood
Food: Everything
Professional Athlete: Shawn Johnson East (former Team USA artistic gymnast)
Professional Team: Pittsburgh Steelers
Celebrity: Jennifer Garner
About Me
Hobbies: Hanging out by the pool and walking on the beach.
Best Advice Received: "Why worry? If you have done the very best you can, worrying won't make it any better." - Walt Disney
'My dream for my future is to become an elementary teacher and continue my education so that I can eventually be a school principal.'
Stand-Out Statistics
-Struck out career-high 11 batters versus Alderson Broaddus on March 9, 2017.
2017 (Freshman): 2.67 ERA, 9-12 record, 105 SO/104.1 IP
2018 (Sophomore): 3.02 ERA, 12-6 record, 80 SO/131 IP
2019 (Junior): 2.22 ERA, 8-6 record, 58 SO/75.2 IP
Three-Year Totals: 2.64 ERA, 29-24 record, 243 SO/311 IP=0.78 SO/IP
Thank you to all my past and current teammates and coaches. You have helped shape me into the person I have become. You have made the last five years some of the most unforgettable years of my life. My memories from WVSU will last a lifetime.
-Emily Thompson
Madison Rafuson, No. 16, Catcher
Hometown: Lakewood, Calif.
High School: Lakewood
Family: Daugher of Mike and Diana Rafuson … Siblings: Hailey, Jeff, Britt, Jax, and Molly
Major: Sports Studies
Madee Rafuson has been a key player in State's success these last four years. Madee was a strong leader on the field by calling the games this year as well as getting timely hits when we needed them.
-Mattie Best
Favorites
TV Show: Orange is the New Black
Movies: A Walk to Remember & Star Wars
Music Artists: J-Boog, Thomas Rhett, Morgan Wallen
Food: Sushi
Professional Athlete: Clayton Kershaw
Professional Team: Los Angeles Dodgers
Celebrity: Blake Lively
About Me
Hobbies: Eating sushi, grilling steak, DIY furniture, thrifting, and tanning.
Best Advice Received: People are going to judge you and you will always be criticized so do whatever you want and live the life you want to live.
Biggest Influences in My Life: Mama Bear and Papa Bear
'My dream for my future is to be a registered nurse, have a huge family of four children and three dogs, buy a house, be happily married, and travel around the world … in no particular order.'
Stand-Out Statistics
-Recorded career-high four hits versus Lincoln (Pa.) on March 3, 2017.
2017 (Freshman): .259 AVG, 21 RBI, 18 R, 52 games started
2019 (Junior): .333 AVG, 11 RBI, 12 R, 32 games started
2020 (Senior): .375 AVG, 3 RBI, 7 R, 16 games started
Three-Year Totals: .322 AVG, 35 RBI, 37 R, 100 games started
Thank you to my coaches, this school, and especially my current and former teammates for making these past four years the best years of my life and an experience that I'll never forget.
-Madison Rafuson
Shian Meeks, No. 21, Infielder
Hometown: Chapmanville, W.Va.
High School: Chapmanville Regional
Family: Daughter of Laura Ellis and Chris Meeks … Step-Daughter of Steven Ellis … Siblings: Alexa, Ronald, and Bayleigh Ellis
Major: Sport Studies
Shian Meeks has been a secret weapon for us in her four years. Shian has grown every year as a player. Shian's senior year started off extremely hot and didn't look like it was going to slow down!
-Mattie Best
Favorites
TV Show: The 100
Movie: Step Brothers
Music Artist: Chris Stapleton
Food: Chicken and dumplings
Professional Athlete: Derek Jeter
Professional Team: Los Angeles Dodgers
Celebrity: Will Ferrell
About Me
Hobbies: Hunting, fishing, riding four-wheelers, hiking, and spending time with loved ones and friends.
Best Advice Received: You're given two choices when you fail. You can stay down or get up and try again.
Describe Yourself in One Sentence: I am quiet, outgoing, honest, dependable, athletic, and respectful.
Biggest Influence in My Life: My mom.
'My dream for my future is to become a physical therapist.'
Stand-Out Statistics
-Averaged a .919 fielding percentage over four years.
2017 (Freshman): .298 AVG, 12 RBI, 13 R, 58 putouts, 81 assists, 45 games started
2018 (Sophomore): .296 AVG, 10 RBI, 18 R, 52 putouts, 73 assists, 44 games started
2020 (Senior): .273 AVG, 11 RBI, 13 R, 37 putouts, 36 assists, 21 games started
Three-Year Totals: .289 AVG, 33 RBI, 44 R, 147 putouts, 190 assists, 110 games started
I want to thank all my teammates, coaches, and the university. You have pushed me to be the best version of myself and helped me create memories, along with friendships, that will last a lifetime. I've really enjoyed the past four years. They've went by fast and I don't think I could forget them if I tried.
-Shian Meeks
