RANKINGS
EVENTS
I COMMITTED
COLLEGE
ABOUT
On Friday, we published the 2022 Extra Inning Softball rankings in the #’s 60-51 range and one of those was speedy right-handed hitter Tagen Levao who plays for Atlanta Premier – Barfield/Bird.
It was a big week for Tagen in another way as well, as the senior decided that she wanted to be a Cougar and committed to College of Charleston in South Carolina—about a four hour drive northeast from her Locust Grove High School in Georgia.
“I have never met a staff that wanted me as much as I wanted them and it just felt right,” she told Extra Inning Softball. “Their energy is unmatched, plus you can’t beat being in the city and at the beach!”
Tagan’s mother, Tina Levao Maisonet, added:
“It’s been a challenging road but well worth it. The new coaching staff there are absolutely amazing people and just excited to have her as she is to be with them.”
One of the fun aspects we explored with Tagen in an article we wrote last December—published below—is her Samoan heritage. The athlete’s mom said that she has family and friends happy for her all over the world… and a big celebration will take place before she officially leaves for college.
“Her Samoan family is super excited all the way back to the island!” Tina adds.
“She will be having a Samoan sendoff next summer and, oh, Tagen wanted me to let you know she only has two months before she gets her ‘taulima’ (Samoan tatoo)!”
— Brentt Eads, Extra Inning Softball
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Extra Star Power: How Georgia 2022 Outfielder Tagen Levao Honors Her Samoan Heritage
Originally published Dec. 28, 2020 on Extra Inning Softball
Fun fact: according to the 2020 U.S. Census, there are more than 205,000 people of Samoan heritage who live in the United States—more than the 198,000 who actually come from what we know as Samoa (the Independent State of Samoa or American Samoa).
Samoan Americans are the second largest Pacific Islander group in the U.S. following native Hawaiians and 63,000 of all Samoans live in California… or almost one-third of Samoan population in America.
It’s not surprisingly that not as many populate the East Coast; Georgia, for example, is 6,614 air miles away and it’s estimated that less than 20,000 Pacific Islanders live in the Peach State.
However, there may soon be a prominent softball standout of Samoan descent who can call Georgia home and represent her island heritage well.
Tagen Arlene Levao is a 2022 outfield/middle infielder who attends Locust Grove (Georgia) High and plays for Steven Locke’s Atlanta Premier Gold team. She says:
“I am half Samoan along with Spanish and white and my Samoan side is very family-oriented with tons of traditions and pride.”
The junior already has compiled an impressive softball resume: her high school teams have won state twice, she was named the 2020 Regional Player of the Year and the 2020 Offensive Player of the Year, earned 1st Team All-State honors and holds several school records.
On the club side, she’s helped her previous Georgia Impact team finish 3rd plat at PGF Platinum Nationals and has twice been ranked in the 2022 Extra Elite 100. This fall she joined the AP Power 18U team and Coach Locke says she quickly impressed in the shortened fall season.
“Tagan just fit right in with our AP Gold family,” Locke explains. “I knew she was a very good player, but she impressed me more with her continuous positive attitude and passion in which she plays and cheers on her teammates, even if she was not in the game.”
The athlete got off to a strong start—after the first two weekends, she boasted a .444 batting average and showcased her power and speed also.
Coach Locke added:
“We played an awesome schedule this fall and Tagen proved what an asset she will be for our team. She is so versatile as a player; she can play infield and outfield defensively. Offensively, she can hit the gaps, hit for power and with her speed she is a small ball threat too.”
The two-time state champ rolled into the fall travel ball season directly from a stellar high school season with the Locust Grove Wildcats in which she hit .552, produced an .870 slugging percentage, knocked in 22 RBIs, scored 38 runs and had 14 stolen bases.
Among her honors, she was named the Region 4-AAAAA Player of the Year and was named to the Georgia All State 1st team roster.
“Yeah, those are impressive numbers for anyone, especially in that region,” continued Coach Locke. “I wouldn’t be surprised to see those same type numbers for next year. This kid is truly in love with the game of softball. When you have the talent she has and the relentless work ethic she displays, you get a player like Tagen. Whoever gets this kid at the next level is getting a true softball player in every aspect.”
Levao has in-state D1 offers and interest from several ACC and SEC schools. With recruiting being such a difficult process right now, she is wanting to take her time to make sure she makes the right decision.
“Hopefully, college coaches will be released to attend summer events and have camps again,” Locke says. “All Tagen needs is an opportunity. She is a player every coach wants to have on their team—and I mean on any level. She is elite and stays hungry; it showed as soon as we started our pre-game warm-ups this fall.”
“I can’t wait until we resume our travel ball practices in February,” the coach continues. “I can see her setting the pace from the get-go and pushing the whole team. There is not much more a coach can ask for than what Tagen brings to our team. She is not afraid of competition and just wants to play the game she loves.”
Samoans are known across the sports landscape as great athletes and Tagen sees that in her family too.
“My cousin Paul Soliai played in the NFL, my dad played volleyball—literally every Somoan is good at volleyball!” she laughs. “We are taught to be fierce and never give up, to work hard and make your family proud.”
Academics, she says, is also important to her and her family.
“Our grades in school are also very important and show honor. I currently have a 4.1 GPA and take dual enrollment and AP classes”.
The young softball player takes seriously the Fa’a Samoa or “The Samoan Way” which is the “traditional code of behavior that is the backbone of Samoan society,” Tagen explains.
“My grandfather is the chief (“Matai”) and they lead the family and are highly respected.”
Faith and food are also very important in the Samoan culture, Tagen stresses, and are celebrated on Sundays “like its Thanksgiving.”
Everyone wears white to church and then eats lunch (to’ona’i ) that has been cooking all day.
“Then we sing and take a big nap,” she continues and jokes: “I’m really good at that part!”
Other important cultural activities include dance which is a huge part of the culture, as certain dances tell stories and have different meanings.
“We have danced in festivals and parties since I was little,” she remembers.
An upcoming tradition she will take part in is getting the tattoos (taulima) which are a huge honor and have certain specific meanings.
“It’s a sacred piece of art that you have to live up to and show respect to your culture,” Tagen explains. “I cannot wait to get mine!”
A force already in Southeastern softball at the prep and club levels, the junior is happy to represent her Samoan ancestry on the softball field while keeping busy participating in cultural activities too.
Already, Tagen, has caught the softball world’s attention as she honors her cultural heritage at the same time.
Here’s more with Tagen in our recent Extra Inning Softball Q&A…
*** Scroll down to read more about this fast-rising talent, how she ties into her Samoan culture and where she is in the recruiting process…