Get to Know: Julia Cottrill and Koko Wooley

Catcher Julia Cottrill and shortstop Koko Wooley are right in the middle of the offense for the Aggie softball team. Cottrill, a junior transfer from Oklahoma State, is a decorated, power-hitting backstop that has made an immediate impact on head coach Trisha Ford’s roster. Wooley, a sophomore, has been a key contributor to the infield dynamic and getting on base since she arrived in Aggieland.

Cottrill has garnered many awards throughout her softball career, being named to the All-SEC Newcomer Team (2021), the SEC Academic Honor Roll (2020, 2021) and NFCA All-Southeast Region Third Team (2021). Before college, Cottrill capped her club ball career off with a gold medal at the 2019 WBSC World Cup as a member of the USA Junior Women’s National team. In her first season with the Aggies, the Wichita, Kansas, native leads the team with 40 hits and 25 RBI.

Wooley collected many accolades her freshman year, including D1 Softball Top 75 Impact Freshman, NFCA All-South Region Third Team and was a Schutt Sports/NFCA Division I National Freshman of the year nominee. Just this season, the La Porte, Texas, native hit two home runs and has swiped a team-high 17 stolen bases.

Cottrill and Wooley sit to talk about the season in progress and their adjustments to the new coaching staff.

What made you choose to transfer to Texas A&M? How has the transition been for you?

“I chose to transfer to Texas A&M because of the coaching staff for sure. I talked to Coach Ford before coming on my visit, and I ended up loving the visit and the coaching staff. The transition’s been easy. I’ve been in college for four years now, so I kind of know what to expect. Just getting used to their philosophies and program took a little adjusting, but it’s been a pretty nice transition.”

How does the environment of Aggieland differ from your expectations coming in or differ from other schools you have played at or visited?

“I would say that the atmosphere here is family-oriented and it’s like everyone is your neighbor here. No matter what you need, somebody is going to help you here. That is something I really like about Texas A&M.”

You had to sit out for five games this season due to injury. How did it feel to not be able to play and how were you able to grow from that experience? How did you find ways to help the team in other aspects?

“I think it just put me in a different position not being able to be on the field. I got to sit in the dugout, watch, and put in feedback when I needed to. I think it just gave me a different perspective of the game, and I was able to maybe help hitters with their approaches to their at-bats.”

What is your relationship like with Coach Ford, who coached you when you were younger with Team USA?

“She’s definitely like a second mom to me. She has made this transition so easy and accepts me for me and I really appreciate that. She’s honest with me, and that’s something I really appreciate because whether it’s good or bad, I know she’s going to be honest.”

Coach Ford is new to Texas A&M, and this is your second year here. How has the adjustment been working with the new staff and their different styles of coaching?

“It’s been an easy adjustment I would say, because the coaching staff reminds me of my travel ball coaches growing up. They’re hard on us and they hold us accountable, and that’s more of what I’m used to. They made me love the game again, because last year it felt more like a job. Now, I’m having fun because I have fun with my teammates. They’re also outgoing, so it’s easy to be me around them.”

Being in your second season here at A&M, you are practically considered a veteran compared to this team with a lot of new faces. How has that been and how would you consider your leadership style more vocal or lead by example?

“I would say I’m more ‘lead by example.’ As a person, I don’t really like to talk. I guess you could say I’m shy, but I’m not that shy. Practice hard, play hard, always going 100%. I’ll lay my body out if I have to.”

The entire infield started every game in their position. How much trust do you have in your teammates Trinity Cannon, Rylen Wiggins and Amari Harper? How have y’all grown as a group?

“At first, it was a little bit shaky, because everyone but me was playing a new position that they’ve never really played before. So, it was a matter of trusting each other. I feel like trust is there now, because in practice, there’s no backup to go in for us when we need help. We make a mistake, we’re there to pick each other up at practice. During a game, I make a mistake, they’re there to pick me up. I feel like it's more of a sisterhood. We keep things between us. We’re hard on each other, and that helps us be better as a team.”

Do y’all have any rituals or superstitions that you do before, during, or after games?

Julia: “I’m really not that superstitious, but I feel like I have to listen to music before every game.”

Koko: “Me either, but I do make a TikTok before every game.”

What’s your favorite part about traveling with the team?

Julia: “Probably our downtime for me. I think that’s kind of how you build team chemistry and can bond because we are with each other 24/7. So, when we’re down, we get to relax and be ourselves, and that’s when we really get to know each other.”

Koko: “My favorite part of traveling is probably on the way to games because we have a few players that like to sing, and it’s funny.”

Who on the team sings the most?

Koko: “Allie [Enright] and Grace [Uribe]. They sing a lot.”

Julia: “Would you even consider it singing?”

Koko: “Not really singing. More like screaming. Then, the team joins in to try and be like this acapella group. It’s interesting.”

What is your favorite thing to do on your days off?

Koko: “Probably when we’re all together at a teammate’s house. Those are the most memorable.”

Julia: “I would agree. I think Sunday Funday’s, when we all get together after a series.”

Koko: “When it’s not about softball, it’s just about having fun with your teammates.”

Why did you pick the numbers you guys' wear?

Koko: “I was number 8 since I was four or five, and when I came, I knew Grace [Uribe] was going to be here, so I would only have gotten to wear number 8 for a year [after Uribe graduated]. If you cut the number 8 in half, it looks like a 3, so I was like, ‘Okay, 3!’”

Julia: “Coming in here, my number was taken, which was 25, so I had to pick something new. I thought about it for a while, and I ended up with 42. For one, it was my dad’s number in high school and college. I think it’s cool that it’s also Jackie Robinson’s number. In baseball, it’s retired, so to be able to wear it in softball I think is pretty cool and shows that, you know, no matter the difficulties we face, we still have love for the game. I really enjoy wearing 42.”

How do y’all prepare each week in the SEC knowing every game you play will be tough competition?

Koko: “I feel like it starts with practice. For example, the SEC plays fast, so in practice we’ll have situationals and they’ll let them start closer to first base where it’s more game-like. Or somedays we’ll hit off our pitching staff for timing and that helps a lot.”

Julia: “I also think taking the games that we have played in the SEC and using that information to build from allows us to move forward. Every at-bat is helping us in the long run, whether that’s a pinch-hit at bat or you start that day, it helps down the road.”