By Holly Tormey, sports editor

 “Always play with your heart” is a saying that Megan VinZant will keep with her as she makes the second step toward a higher education.

With a degree in health science almost complete, VinZant will hang up her jerseys and tuck away her mitt before she crosses that long awaited graduation stage.

VinZant is leaving Friends University to start physician assistant school at Wichita State University in the fall.

VinZant has been a part of the Falcon Athletic Department for four years and has contributed to both basketball and softball.

Two words come to mind when women’s basketball Coach Gayla Soyez thinks of VinZant: commitment and heart.

“Commitment because I expected a lot from her being our point guard and she did not walk out when it got tough, and heart because how tough and hard she played in practice preparing herself for the games,” said Soyez.

VinZant has been starting point guard on the basketball team.

“I did not think I had a chance of Megan coming to Friends after I watched her play at the high school level,” said Soyez.

With so much respect from Soyez for her competitive ability on the floor, VinZant put the coach on edge until she made her decision to become a Falcon.

“After Megan made a home visit here, she told me she would let me know after she got back from Colorado on a spring trip, but I got the surprise call before she went that she wanted to play at Friends,” said Soyez.

“She trained every day to win in the game and had the mindset to win. It showed from being a freshman with no honors in the KCAC to her senior year unanimous first team all KCAC.”

VinZant cherishes her experiences on the Friends basketball court.

“I would not replace any win or national title for the relationship that coach Soyez and I have established,” VinZant said.

VinZant has been dedicated to both sports, but she says, “Softball comes more natural than basketball, but my passion is with basketball.”

After VinZant had already met with Soyez about her decision to become a Falcon, the Friends softball Coach Tony Segovia also became interested in building his team with VinZant.

When VinZant started her freshman year as a Falcon, Segovia was only in his second year as head coach. He had 11 women on his team.

VinZant has played three positions for Segovia in four years.

“I started college playing short stop. Now my senior year I have been put back on third base where I played in high school. On occasion I pitch,” said VinZant.

“Watching the program become what it is today alongside Coach Segovia is so awesome,” said Vinzant.

VinZant was born and raised in the Wichita area. She attended Kapaun Mount Carmel High School where she played volleyball, basketball and softball. Kapaun Mount Carmel is where Soyez and Segovia first sought out VinZant.

Both of her parents graduated from WSU, but Vinzant decided to take a different direction and become a Falcon.

“Even though my parents were not the most gifted athletically they were unconditionally supportive. I can only remember them missing three games ever,” said VinZant.