By Chuck Reherman
Sports Editor
For high school athletes looking to continue their career, when a school feels right, it just feels right.
For Southwest Covenant’s Sam Webb, that place was Oklahoma Baptist University in Shawnee.
Webb chose the Bison and signed an NCAA Division II letter-of-intent with the school Tuesday afternoon, in front of a large contingent on friends and family in the SWCS gym.
Webb is the first SWCS baseball player to sign to play college ball. SWCS alum Josh McMinn signed four years ago, but that was before the Patriots had a baseball program and he played with Union City in a co-op basis.
Webb, a talented multi-sport athlete, chose OBU over Oklahoma City University, Redlands Community College, Northern Oklahoma-Tonkawa and Seminole State.
“It felt like the right thing, it was a great fit,” Webb said. “The coaches are great there. It is a great school and a great program.
“I want to focus on academics and baseball,” he said. “Being closer to home was a factor, but it was more the school and the program itself and the coaches. It was just a gut feeling.
“I will have a chance to go and compete for playing time early.”
Webb started on the mound and also caught for the Patriots and helped guided the team to their first ever state tournament appearance. He played on three district champion teams and one regional champion team at SWCS.
He earned Oklahomna Coaches Association All-State honors in the small class and was named to the Little All-City team.
Webb was also an Eightman All-State selection and was the District C-2 Offensive MVP as a quarterback. He holds the school record for most passing yards and touchdowns in a season and a career.
“I loved playing football and basketball in high school,” he said. “But, I want to focus on school and baseball. It may be harder to stay in shape in the off-season.
He also starred in the classroom, earning salutatorian status and Oklahoma Academic Scholar and Regents Distinguished Scholar accolades.
“I liked the smaller school atmosphere and I think I will enjoy that,” Webb said. “I look forward to going to the next level.”
