Mansfield Legacy's Shelbi Vaughan will double up at Texas A&M

By Matthew Reagan

mreagan@star-telegram.com

Mansfield Legacy mega-athlete Shelbi Vaughan had a decision to make regarding her future.

Which sport would she play in college -- volleyball or track and field?

She chose both.

Vaughan, like many area athletes, signed her national letter of intent Wednesday, the first day of the fall signing period. She will attend Texas A&M next year, with plans to continue her dominant run as an outside hitter as well as suit up for the Aggies' track and field squad.

"I definitely wanted to do both in college," she said.

Texas A&M wasn't alone in recognizing Vaughan's talent.

Oklahoma and Texas Tech, as well as several other schools, offered her scholarships in both sports.

At 6-foot-2, Vaughn excelled in nearly every sport she tried, including basketball and softball, but she knew from the time she was a sophomore what her future held.

She was the 2011 Class 5A and 2010 Class 4A discus state champion, placed second at state both years in shot put and holds the 5A discus state record with her 161-foot throw at the state meet in May.

In June, she won the USA Track and Field Outdoor Junior Championship, besting several collegiate athletes, and a month later she finished third at the IAAF World Youth Championships in France, where one of her preliminary throws would have been good enough for the gold medal.

In volleyball, Vaughn led the Broncos this season in kills (579), blocks (70) and aces (51) and was second on the team in digs (367).

Deciding on a college was somewhat of a relief for Vaughan.

"It is a relief, but it's also mixed emotions of excitement because I know where I am going and I am ready to go," Vaughan said

She said the atmosphere at Texas A&M, where she plans to major in education, was what sold her.

"I went on a couple of visits and right when I stepped on campus, I just knew it was where I wanted to go," she said.

The Aggies volleyball team is No. 20 in the nation, with an 18-6 record in a very competitive Big 12.

Texas A&M's men's and women's track and field teams both won the 2011 outdoor NCAA championships.

Legacy volleyball coach Jennifer Chandler said the Aggies are getting a good one and that Vaughan probably left several Legacy coaches disappointed she didn't suit up for their teams.

"She was born with athletic talent and honed her skills," Chandler said. "She is probably one of the most competitive players I have ever coached.

"The kid does not like to lose."

Looking for comments?