MERRY HILL – The number 11 has become synonymous with determination and hard work.

Recent Lawrence Academy graduate Catherine Outten is known throughout the state for her hard work and dedication, especially to the game of softball and her number 11 is known by friend and foe alike.

&uot;Catherine is a competitor,&uot; Lady Warrior softball coach Truitt Johnston said. &uot;She is going to go at it 110 percent every minute of every game.&uot;

Outten’s hard work and dedication led to her being named All-State by the North Carolina Independent School Athletic Association moments after she scored the game-winning run in the 1-A softball championship.

&uot;We were down-hearted after we gave up the game-tying run in the top of the seventh,&uot; Johnston said. &uot;I called timeout to go out and talk to the team, but I really didn’t have to say anything, because Catherine had it covered.

&uot;She told them to forget about it, block it out of your mind,&uot; Johnston recalled. &uot;We’ve got an at-bat. We’re getting this out, going in and scoring a run. It’s that simple.&uot;

Outten’s words were true as the Lady Warriors did secure the final out, came to bat and scored the game-winning run to claim their second consecutive North Carolina Independent School Athletic Association state title.

&uot;It’s a big honor to be recognized by people throughout North Carolina as being All-State,&uot; Outten said. &uot;I’m humbled by it.&uot;

During her time at Lawrence Academy, Outten was a three-sport athlete, earning accolades as a volleyball player and basketball player in addition to her honors in softball.

In volleyball, Outten was named All-Roanoke-Chowan Best Offensive Player as a member of the First Team. She was also All-Tarheel Independent Conference and was named the team’s Most Valuable Player.

Basketball saw Outten earn the Leadership Award as well as being named All-TIC. She also garnered a Second Team All-Roanoke-Chowan nod.

During softball, Outten was a First Team All-Roanoke-Chowan selection as well as being All-Tarheel Independent Conference, All-State and winning the Coach’s Award.

She was also tabbed Female Athlete of the Year and Female Scholastic Athlete of the Year.

Outten said she loved spending her career in the green-and-gold of Lawrence Academy.

&uot;Playing sports at LA has been a great experience,&uot; she said. &uot;My coaches and teammates have always been there for me, taught me to be competitive and to love the game.

&uot;The biggest memory I will take from here will be the &uot;life lessons&uot; that I’ve learned,&uot; she added.

Gennia Winslow coached Outten in every sport during her time at Lawrence Academy and called Outten a special player.

&uot;Catherine is a special young lady,&uot; Winslow said. &uot;She works hard in everything she does. She is an excellent student-athlete, the kind you would want your children to be.&uot;

Outten is the daughter of Dana and Audrey Outten of Roper. She will be attending The University of the South in Sewanee, Tennessee where she plans to play softball.