Leaving Hall of Fame Stadium for the final time this season, Megan Christopher didn’t feel any different than usual. She had been through the routine the past three seasons with her Mizzou softball teammates. They would board the bus and head to the Oklahoma City airport after ending another spring in the Women’s College World Series. “It didn’t hit me, because even when we were riding the bus to the airport, it felt like we were going to play another game,” said Christopher. Not this time around. The Wright City native had just competed in her last game as a college softball player. As a senior in high school, she dreamed of the opportunity to play for her favorite college team. At the time, that meant being a part of an average Division I program, because Missouri wasn’t known as a softball power. “During my first year there were no expectations,” recalled Christopher. “We were not even rated in the Top 50.” That all changed with the inception of Christopher’s class. Four years later, Mizzou is among the most prominent teams in the country, having qualified for the College World Series in each of the past three seasons. Christopher says she never imagined being part of such a storied group, which has set a new school wins record each season since 2009. “It’s amazing what this class has turned the program into,” acknowledged Christopher. “I didn’t expect to be part of such a successful group.” This season the Tigers won the Big 12 Conference title. “It was awesome to win the Big 12 this year, because it had been a goal since my sophomore year,” said Christopher. “This was by far the hardest year to win it (in my four years).” There have been individual milestones for Christopher as well. She was named Big 12 Co-Defensive Player of the Year during her senior season and an all-conference selection during her sophomore season. “I’m blessed to have my defensive ability,” said Christopher. “To be given that award in the Big 12 is astonishing, because there was some phenomenal defensive players in the league.” Batting struggles prevented her from being a consistent award-winner, and Christopher says she could never pinpoint the problem, acknowledging it was mostly a confidence factor. Initially sharing Christopher’s frustration over the matter, coach Ehren Earleywine tried to help her break a slump that consumed much of her junior year. Eventually, however, he decided it was going to be in Christopher’s favor to focus solely on her role as catcher. “The turning point was when I came to her and said the reason you’re in the game is because of what you do behind the plate,” said Earleywine. “I assured her, ‘we can’t let any of your at-bats affect your mindset on defense.’ That freed her up and allowed her to lean on her strength.” Although easier said than done, that’s the approach Christopher she tried to take during her senior season. “We expected her to be great behind the plate,” said Earleywine. “Her hitting was a distraction to her defense.” Having batted a respectable .303 during her sophomore year, she knew herself to be capable of better. But a .212 average during her junior year prompted discouragement. Christopher says it was difficult to forget her blunders at the plate, despite her coaches pleas. It was a growing process for her both physically and emotionally. “It’s always been tough to look past what I did during my last at-bat,” acknowledged Christopher.”It came to a point where I knew they needed me on defense, no matter how awful I did at the plate. If we were going to win a national championship, I was going to be behind the plate.” Christopher became the exclusive catcher for Chelsea Thomas, the Tigers’ ace. She believes the duo made one another and says throwing to the Big 12 Pitcher of the Year was a privilege in itself. “Chelsea and I had a special chemistry,” said Christopher. “She trusted me, and I trusted her.” Earleywine watched Christopher develop her skill over four seasons, but more notably, he says, is the passion the small-town competitor showed while playing for her favorite childhood team. “There’s never been a player in our program who has been more proud of wearing Mizzou across her chest than Megan,” said Earleywine. “When she put that uniform on it had significant meaning in her entire life.” Once a young girl enamored by the lore of playing college softball, Christopher is now in that position of influence. With a list of accomplishments under her belt, she has a platform to encourage other young players. “It took on a new meaning when I realized how much I could start impacting younger girls,” said Christopher. “That’s the biggest thing I take from Mizzou softball, is the opportunity that it’s opened up for me.” She has signed autographs, given dozens of individual catching clinics and is even helping coach a pair of little league teams this summer. Christopher says leaving her career behind is challenging, but it helps knowing she and her teammates raised the bar each year. They concluded this season by capturing Mizzou’s first World Series win in 20 years — a 4-1 victory over conference rival Oklahoma. “We would have liked to have won the Baylor game, but at least we broke the curse of World Series luck,” said Christopher. Christopher will still have a chance to influence young people and stay involved in the game, as she pursues a career in elementary education and coaching. She is preparing to enter her first year as a student-teacher in the Rock Bridge district this fall.