RALEIGH – Megan Cowan is continuing her playing days.

The Bertie High School graduate, who was honored as Northeastern Coastal Conference and Roanoke-Chowan region Player of the Year in softball, was one of just four players selected to North Carolina State University’s club softball team.

A club sports differs from a varsity level in regards to conference affiliation, scholarships and scheduling.

The NCSU team, which is one of the best in the nation, held open tryouts and had 30 players attempt to make the squad. After the tryouts, four were chosen as new members of the team and they included Cowan.

“I found out about the team through the N.C. State website, actually,” Cowan said. “I had heard of it and they were good, but also they had a lot of fun.

“That appealed to me as a freshman n having the chance to keep playing, but in a more relaxed atmosphere,” she continued. “Our practices are hard, but they are only two nights a week which is good because of schoolwork.”

She said the atmosphere of the team and the ability she has to continue to focus on earning her degree were the reasons she chose to continue her career this way.

“I thought with this being my freshman year, I have a lot of hard work for school,” she said. “Varsity would have been too much for me.

“I have a good time,” she added. “It’s not as serious and I really like all the girls on the team.”

Cowan has already been playing with the team this fall and has garnered a pitching victory against Clemson as her first win.

The team has played five games and will be busy over the coming few weeks. They will also be busy working over the winter and into the spring.

Cowan’s coach at Bertie, Jackie Copeland, said she was extremely proud of what her former player had accomplished.

“I am so pleased Megan decided to continue her softball career,” Copeland said. “Her career here at Bertie was stellar and she and her teammates accomplished a lot.

“It just proves how good she is that she has been able to make this team at NC State,” the coach continued. “I couldn’t be more proud of her.”

Cowan said the experience has already paid off for her.

“I am enjoying it,” she added. “I love it. I get the chance to do something I absolutely love.”