NCAA Lists Chapman’s Olivas as Division II Home Run Leader

No one knew it at the time, but Sandy Olivas, a senior third baseman on the Chapman softball team, began this season as the career home run leader in NCAA Division II.

Olivas entered the season with 35 home runs, three more than the record recognized by the NCAA. Kim Kouri, who hit 32 homers for Augustana (S.D.) from 1988-91, was credited with the record because the NCAA hadn’t been informed of Olivas’ career home run statistics.

Olivas, who has 42 home runs in four years, might have the most home runs in all NCAA divisions. The Division I record is 34 by Liz Mizera of Texas A&M; from 1985-88. The NCAA is researching the Division III record, which won’t be known until next year.

Olivas, a first-team All-American last season, has seven home runs this season with eight games remaining. She had nine her freshman year and 13 in each of her sophomore and junior seasons. She led Division II in home runs last season and would have tied for the title in her sophomore season, had Chapman reported final statistics.