Bio

With a reputation as a “Pitchers School”, Cassi (Vandever) Lund was the first All-American pitcher in the history of the Cowley College softball program. The dominant pitcher will be recognized for her accomplishments when she is inducted into the Tiger Athletic Hall of Fame on Saturday, January 26.

Born and raised in Arkansas City, KS, Cassi started pitching lessons from the famous Rod Buser from Ponca City, OK. She went on to help Ark City High School win the state softball title in 1996 and pitched the championship clinching game against Salina South High School.

Along with her softball success at ACHS, Cassi was crowned homecoming queen and had a 4.0 grade point average.

The decision to play softball at Cowley was an easy one for Lund.

“I wanted to play for Coach Ed (Hargrove) and have the continued family support I had since I was 10 years old,” Lund said.

Lund played softball at Cowley during the 1997 and 1998 seasons and still ranks in the top-15 of every pitching category at the school.

“Cassi was a “gamer”, she hated to lose and when she was on the rubber she was 100% serious,” Hargrove said. “A lot of thought went into every pitch. Cassi was fun to coach, a hard worker who kept practices and games lively and fun except when she got on the rubber. Then it was all business.”

Along with being named an All-American, Lund was named the Jayhawk East Most Valuable Player as a freshman and was a two-time First-Team All-Region VI selection.

Her 0.78 earned run average (ERA) during the 1997 season ranks second all-time at Cowley, while her career ERA of 1.41 ranks fifth. She tossed 12 career shutouts and won 45 games as she helped Cowley win the Jayhawk East and region titles both years at the school.

“Playing softball at Cowley allowed me to contribute to the team and make friendships that last forever,” Lund said.

Along with Lund, Lady Tiger teammates Suzanne Kerr and Sandy (Erickson) Wiemers were also named All-Americans during their careers at Cowley and are also in the Tiger Athletic Hall of Fame.

“Having the three of them in the Cowley Athletic Hall of Fame together is the kind of thing that makes a coach proud,” Hargrove said.

Along with her softball success, Cassi was well liked on campus as judged by her being crowned Queen Alalah as a sophomore.

After Cowley, Cassi went on to play softball at Emporia State University. She later went on to attend the University of Kansas Medical Center Physical Therapy School.

During one of her clinical rotations at Bird Physical Therapy in Lawrence, KS, Cassi was honored as the Physical Therapy Student of the Year. She received her Master’s Degree in Physical Therapy from KU Med.

Lund resides in Arkansas City with her husband, David Lund, daughter Karsyn 9, and twin sons Ryder and McCoy 7.

“This honor would not have been possible without the hard work and the leadership of a great coach like Ed Hargrove,” Lund said. “I am very honored and privileged to accept one of Cowley College’s highest recognitions.”