University of California Athletics

Freshman Feature: Q&A with Nikki Owens (January 14, 2012)

2012 Quick Hits:

• Did not play

High School:

• Only played part of her senior season but still posted an 8-4 record in 74 innings of work with a 0.48 ERA and limiting opposing teams to a combined .065
• As a junior and sophomore, was named First-Team All-League and First-Team All-County
• Was her prep team's MVP as a freshman and sophomore as well as sharing that title with a teammate as a junior

Club Ball:

• Went to nationals twice with her 16U team
• Played on the San Jose Lady Sharks Gold

Personal:

• Would like to play abroad following Cal
• Sister Michelle competed in cross country at Bethany University
• Parents are Carl and Pam Owens
• Mother Pam attended Cabrillo College

A Strong Connection to 2002: Growing up in Santa Cruz County, Nikki and Cal teammate Breana Kostreba spent time training at Santa Cruz Strength, a weight lifting and conditioning gym owned by none other than former Golden Bear Jocelyn Forest. In 2002, Forest led the Golden Bears to their first-ever NCAA Championship. Nikki notes that her biggest role model is Forest.

An Unconventional Schooling Route: Nikki was homeschooled until eighth grade. She also skipped kindergarten, so she is a full year younger than the other girls in her recruiting class.

Why I Wear My Number: I wear No. 72 because it was my dad's football number in high school.