(***NOTE: Due to the cancellation of the spring sports season by the NJCAA, Northwest is highlighting its sophomore class of baseball, softball and rodeo student-athletes over the coming weeks. Today marks our second Sophomore Spotlight installation, featuring Dalton Fowler and Taylor Lott.)

For some student-athletes, the most memorable moments are not those that occur during a game. Just ask Northwest sophomores Dalton Fowler and Taylor Lott.

It would be easy for Fowler, a sophomore left-handed pitcher from Arlington, Tenn., to pick any moment from his two seasons in a Ranger uniform. After all, he did play a vital role for as a member of the Rangers' starting rotation in 2019, a team that won 33 games and advanced to the NJCAA Region 23 tournament.

During his abbreviated sophomore season, Fowler tossed 39 strikeouts with a 1.89 ERA and an unblemished 4-0 record. His best outing came in a 10-0 victory against Olive-Harvey College on Feb. 28, where he totaled a career-best 14 strikeouts against one walk in six innings of work.

In addition to his 6-2 record on the mound, 3.76 ERA and 88 strikeouts as a freshman, Fowler also garnered Academic All-MACJC and third team All-NJCAA Academic honors for his work in the classroom, before being drafted by the New York Mets in the 27th round of last summer's Major League Baseball Draft.

Still, Fowler opted to return to Senatobia for his sophomore season, partially to make more memories with a close-knit baseball brotherhood. 

"There are just way too many memories to share," Fowler said, reflecting on his time at Northwest. "One of my favorite moments came during my freshman year. We all went golfing one day and (former teammate) Ben Van Cleve nearly fell into the lake. It was just one of those funny things you had to see."

Lott also had similar thoughts about her time at Northwest. As a another Academic All-MACJC recipient, the Lewisburg High School alumnus started 22 games as a freshman, earning 18 hits and three RBIs for a .254 batting average.

Her sophomore season started with a reunion of sorts, as her former high school coach Chelsea Bramlett was hired to take over the Northwest softball program. It was during one of Bramlett's practices where Lott says her favorite moment occurred.

"We had just finished up having a good practice and Coach Bramlett got us to pull the tarp out, so we could practice sliding," Lott said. "Coach Young pulled out the water hoses and we slid up and down the tarp. It was special to me because everyone was smiling, laughing and just having a good time. That's something I will always cherish."

Although Lott was only able to play in five games this season, she says that she will be forever grateful for all of her memories at Northwest.

"There have been a lot of ups and downs and each one has taught me to try and find happiness in every situation," Lott said. "As a student-athlete, I have been taught that I can go way beyond what I think my limits are. There are times when we have been pushed to our breaking point during conditioning or lifting and even though we may not have liked it at the time, it truly made us a stronger team. I will definitely miss the smiles, laughs and tears that we shared as a team."

For both players, Northwest provided more than just a place to play and earn an education. Although he has already signed to play at the University of Oklahoma next season, Fowler says Northwest will always hold a special place in his heart, no matter what his future holds.

"I'm definitely going to miss being on the field, but I'm going to miss the memories made with my teammates off the field as well," Fowler said. "This was a place that I called home for two years and there will never be anything as unique as Northwest."

Lott also shared a general piece of advice that she has learned through her faith, something she says can apply to everyone in any situation.

"Find joy in both the good and bad moments, because you could be the only light that someone sees," Lott said. "You never know when those moments will be taken away, so cherish all of them. Try to find happiness in every situation."