When head coach Marla Looper recruited Aralee Bogar, she knew Bogar could have an immediate impact on her team. She just didn’t know where that would be.
The native of Trophy Club, Texas, is speedy. She hustles. And she has a good work ethic. Looper saw all of these traits early on.
“I felt she had the ability to help us,” Looper said. “I knew with her speed. I didn’t know where on the field she would fit in. We were thinking more second base, possibly outfield.”
Bogar has gone beyond the roles Looper imagined. The freshman came on campus last summer and has immediately made an impact on the program. Her work ethic has turned her into Iowa’s starting shortstop, and often, its leadoff hitter.
“She brings such good energy and attitude and energy every single day,” senior Angela Schmiederer said. “She’s quick, but she hustles, regardless of whether we’re in practice or games. She’s just been a pretty key component the second she stepped on campus.”
Since this fall, Bogar has become an integral part of the team. She is currently hitting .278, which is good for third on the team. As a leadoff hitter, her on base percentage is .323.
Her fielding could use some work, however — she has a .870 fielding percentage. As she progresses through her college career, practicing fundamentals in the field will be crucial for her success.
But as the youngest starter on the field, Bogar has years to hone those skills. She is looking toward her older teammates as leaders.
“They help me out so much coming in here as a freshman; it’s really intimidating coming in here and playing at the college level immediately,” Bogar said. “They help me through that. Definitely with Sarah [Kurtz] right next to me at third as a senior, she’s really helped me stay grounded. And Cheyenne [Pratt] right behind me in left field a lot of time will help me let me know to relax and that I’ve got it. They give me pointers, and they’ve been here for four years, so I’m just really grateful for them.”
But how does a freshman from Texas come to a Divison-1 program and immediately start in one of the most technically difficult positions on the diamond?
“She’s quiet in nature. She sat, and observed, and watched, and listened, and worked,” Looper said. “She’s one who’s going to go do and not talk too much. I would rather those than people that talk a lot and don’t back it up by actions. She went and worked and worked and worked, and I think she gained the respect of her teammates because of that.”
That work is paying off for Bogar. She leads the Hawkeyes in runs, scoring 26, and stolen bases. Her speed has led her to a perfect 22 bags in 22 attempts.
“She is a multifaceted athlete and not just a shortstop with speed,” Looper said. “I’m really excited to see her blossom a little bit. She’s come out of her little cocoon of a bloom already when it comes to her teammates but I’m ready to see her believe in herself as much as we do and start to take that leadership role as she goes on in her collegiate career.”