SENATOBIA - Northwest softball coach Chelsea Bramlett has added a familiar face to her coaching staff for the 2024 season, as Ranger softball alum Meredith Owen has been named a volunteer assistant coach.

"She's going to bring a ton of energy," Bramlett said, on Owen. "She's so excited to be back and it's something that's going to look good on her résumé. She's wanting to go into teaching and coaching, so this is perfect for her. She will bring a lot of energy and fun into it."

A native of Covington, Tenn., Owen played on two of the most successful teams in Northwest softball history. In her freshman season, Owen helped the Rangers to an appearance in the 2021 NJCAA Region 23 Tournament, where Northwest scored an upset against nationally-ranked tournament host LSU-Eunice.

As a sophomore, Owen helped Northwest to its first NJCAA Region 23 championship, resulting in the Rangers' first-ever appearance in the NJCAA Division II National Tournament. That squad finished with 39 victories and finished as one of the top four teams remaining in the nation.

Owen concluded her Northwest career with a .300 batting average, nine doubles, three triples, two home runs and 26 runs batted in. She also stole 15 bases, with 12 of those coming as a sophomore. 

Owen is a graduate of Tipton-Rosemark Academy, where she played for coach Johnie Sanfratello. With her senior season shortened by the COVID-19 pandemic, most of Owen's accomplishments came as a junior, where she helped TRA to a 33-11-1 overall record, a district title and a TSSAA Division II Sub-State appearance. For the 2019 season, she batted .342 with three doubles, two triples and 21 RBIs.

Currently, Owen is finishing up her degree at Ole Miss and plans to go into teaching and coaching.