Kuhn, Vidrine chart paths for collegiate athletic careers

[KFDM COOP]

Kuhn, Vidrine chart paths for collegiate athletic careers

By Cody Pastorella

The Port Arthur News

A pair of Nederland standout athletes made reservations for their collegiate futures Tuesday afternoon in the coaches offices at the high school.

Lady Dogs senior shortstop Ashleigh Kuhn signed with the Southland Conference's Northwestern State, while football and baseball all-star Jude Vidrine signed with Lamar University to play baseball.

As a junior, Kuhn recorded a .373 average while slugging .507 with an on base percentage of .414. She had 53 hits including 41 singles, seven doubles and three triples, and led the team with 28 RBIs. Defensively, she played in 264 innings, tallied 50 putouts, 50 assists, and posted a fielding percentage of .962.

Along the way, she helped lead her team to the state finals where the Lady Dogs finished as runners up to Aledo, which outlasted Nederland in a 15-inning bout. Nederland, which finished 30-10-1, also won the district title last season with a 14-0 mark, with Kuhn as their leadoff-hitter and shortstop.

Kuhn said her ultimate decision to become a Lady Demon was that she really liked what she saw from the entire program and coaches.

Nederland head coach Sissy Yeaman said Kuhn could not be a more deserving person.

"She's a great student athlete who works diligently toward her goals. She works extremely hard. She's a very determinted indvidual. She’s a great leader and she means a great deal to her team. I could not be more proud and happy for her. She's just one of those people who will always be successful. She's never satisfied in that good way. She's going to do whatever it takes to be her best."

Vidrine, a standout receiver for the playoff bound Bulldogs football team, and an all-district second baseman for the baseball team, shares many of those qualities with Kuhn.

Vidrine, who will be a varsity player for the third year for Nederland when the spring rolls around, batted .329 with two homers, eight doubles and 26 RBIs as a junior in 2007. Brian Spell, who coaches Jude in both football and baseball, said Vidrine is a coaches dream.

"He has tremendous work ethic," Spell said. "You never have to tell him to do anything twice. He goes to work every day, whether it's practice, a game, in season, off season, no matter what, he comes ready to work.

“That goes for football and baseball. If you target something he could improve at, give him a time or two at the drill and he's got it down. He's willing to learn. He's smart. An outstanding leader by example and very goal oriented."

Vidrine said while he is looking forward to playing for head coach Jim Gilligan and the Cardinals, he still has some unfinished business before graduating from Nederland.

The second baseman said he wants to get the Bulldogs back to the playoffs. Nederland has missed the postseason in two straight seasons.

Vidrine was also part of Mid-County Babe Ruth's 16-year-old All-Star team that finished as runner up in the World Series.

[adminbaberuth]

Congrats to Jude, I mirror what Coach Spell is quoted in the above article.

Jude is a throwback, plus he has tremendous upside. I wish him the best.

[NHS83LU87]

Congrats to Jude!  Your work ethic will carry you far!

[Guest GSlam]

Congratulations to Jude and the rest of the Vidrine family (David and Jill).....

I'm sure ya'll are VERY proud.....

See ya'll in District play this year.....

[Dog4Life]

Congrats Jude, hard work pays off.......

[TURN2]

VERY PROUD OF YOU JUDE.YOU ARE A GREAT ROLE MODEL FOR OTHERS.KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK.

[9Doggies]

Congrads to Hotel Vidrine. That will put some fans in the stands, probably have to reserve a section. Also congrads to Kuhn, never met a happier person.