Athletic Hall of Fame: Erika Westrich

 

Erika (Reinagel) Westrich was known to be a top-tier athlete during her time at Notre Dame. She participated in several sports — basketball, track — but most importantly: softball.

 

She ran track and field for two years, played basketball for 3 years, and started in centerfield in varsity softball all four years.

 

Several highlights are streaked across her high school career.

 

In the Fall of 2007, Westrich set the currently held record for highest batting average of 0.558. Until 2010, Westrich held the record for most hits in a season with 53 hits. As a freshman in 2005, her team set the record for most bases stolen bases as a team.

 

One of Westrich’s favorite memories took place in 2008 of her senior year.

 

“It was the semi-final game at state, and we played 14 innings. It was a relief to win,” said Westrich. “We ended up losing the championship game that year, but it was still memorable. I’ll never forget that one.”

 

In softball, she received all-district honors in 2005, 2006, 2007, and 2008. She received all-region honors in 2005, 2007, and 2008. She a part of the all-state softball team in 2005, 2007, and 2008 as well as part of the team that received SEMO all-conference honors in 2006, 2007, and 2008.

 

Her athletic achievements continued past her high school graduation in 2009. Westrich went on to play softball for another four years at Central Methodist University (CMU) in Fayette, Missouri. She contributed to teams honored as Heart of America Athletic Conference (HAAC) Champions and received the HAAC Gold Glove award in 2012 and 2013. She was honored as a Softball Scholar Athlete by NAIA Daktronics in 2012 and 2013. In 2017, her 2011-2012 team was inducted into the CMU Hairston Hall of Fame for outstanding accomplishments.

 

Westrich currently works as a family nurse practitioner at Saint Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau. She has been married to Austin Westrich for three years, and the couple is expecting their first child in May.