CHS Alum Marder Named Ohio State Female Athlete of the Year

Calabasas High graduate Sam Marder is becoming one of the most decorated athletes at Ohio State University.

The senior catcher earned a spot on the All America softball team and was named the Ohio State Female Athlete of the Year.

Marder became the first Ohio State softball player to make three All America teams.

"I wouldn't be where I am today without my coaches, teammates and family," Marder said in a release. "I loved every minute at Ohio State and I couldn't have asked to play for a better program. My main goal has always been to represent this program to the best of my ability and hopefully I can say I did that."

Marder holds four Ohio State softball records. She is the Ohio State career leader in home runs with 61, RBIs with 191, walks with 232 and intentional walks with 56. Her .384 career batting average is second best in school history. She scored 147 runs in her career at Ohio State, third best in school history.

In her senior season, Marder led the Big 10 with a .569 on-base percentage. She hit .359, scored 40 runs and drove in 45.

"Sam battled injuries all season long and still was able to prove she was one of the best in the country," Ohio State coach Linda Kalafatis said in a release. "She had a standout career at Ohio State and really helped this program earn a spot in the nation's Top 25."

Marder is the second softball player to earn Ohio State Female Athlete of the Year honors. She joins Anna Smith who was the 2002 Female Athlete of the Year at Ohio State.

The Ohio State softball team compiled a 39-14 record in 2010 and advanced to the NCAA Regionals in softball for the fourth time in the past five seasons.