`Good things happen to good people.'-A saying that seldom rings true in a world that seems so unfair. But in the case of Dominique Lastrapes, it should be a lock.

Lastrapes is the senior second baseman on a University of Washington softball team that is vying for a second World Series appearance during her tenure. She is a two-time All-American, performs in the classroom and is involved with her community. One can only ask: How does she do it all?

"I just think that it is how I have grown up," said Lastrapes. "I operate better when I have a lot of things going and my mind is just constantly working."

There is no doubt that she is constantly running around these days. And not just around the bases. Lastrapes has found time to help with the organization WAASAC, which gets student-athletes excited about helping in their communities. Lastrapes has helped make care packages for troops in Iraq, helped run a haunted house, and has volunteered at the local children's hospital. Better yet, she has gotten other student-athletes involved as well.

"I think that it is important to give back because it is not about me," said Lastrapes. "I am not the only one. There are so many things that are bigger than me, bigger than softball and bigger than this University. There are a lot of people who aren't as fortunate as me and I want to give back to them."

Words such as these have helped Lastrapes gain enough recognition to get in contention for the Lowe's Senior CLASS Award. CLASS stands for Celebrating Loyalty and Achievement for Staying in School. This prestigious honor is given to one Division 1 athlete in six different sports that has shown greatness in the classroom, the community, and the playing fields.

"It kind of makes all of the hard work and the pride I have taken in being a good person and it makes it all worth while," said Lastrapes. "I am excited that people care about that kind of stuff. I am really excited and I know that it is a great honor."

Lastrapes is definitely getting recognized and not just for what she has done off the field. She is a two-time All-American and is the leader of a Husky softball program that consistently ranks high in the talent stacked Pac-10 Conference. She currently has a .322 batting average, has driven in 24 runs, and has scored 22 runs. She does it all for her teammates, which is one of the reasons why she is looked at as the glue that has held this team together through its ups and downs.

"What you learn is you just have to stick with the team because that is what it is about," said Lastrapes. "It is about these girls and we're the ones that play and we cannot let outside factors affect us and we have to be able to adjust. It is all about adjustment."

Dominique Lastrapes leads by example. Not by only what she does on the field, but also how she recovers from her own personal setbacks. Lastrapes has been plagued with injuries since coming to the University but she has never given up.

"Since I have been here I have had four surgeries," said Lastrapes, "I have had three ribs pulled out of place, and I have been hit in the mouth with a pitch this year and now have a popping jaw. It is just like once my first two surgeries happened, this is just something I have to deal with and get through and I think it has made me stronger, and I definitely had to persevere."

With an attitude like that it seems clear how she has become a role model for so many, including her two younger sisters.

"I think I want to be a good person in general, but it is motivation to see my sisters succeed because of what they have learned from me," said Lastrapes. "It helps them to see that there is a goal and that lessons learned through softball can help them down the road as they go into different things. I hope that they can see that. I think it really helps that I have done well and so hopefully they can even do better than me."

Her sisters Brittany and Lauren, as well as the rest of Husky Nation, will watch to see what Lastrapes and the Huskies can accomplish this postseason. One thing is for sure: Lastrapes' success and leadership will be key to getting UW back to the Women's College World Series. Lucky for the Dawgs, she has already won national championships at the ASA level and knows what it will take this season.

"I know what its like to be on the top because I have won nationals twice in a row when I was in high school. When I was 14 I won it also, so I have won it three times and I know what it is like to win. I think that helps me and our team move forward."

This knowledge and experience will be vital to the success of the Huskies come tournament time and Lastrapes knows that if the Huskies play their game that few things can stop them.

"Our hitting is there, our pitching is there and it is just a matter of putting it all together and coming up with the key hits in the key situations and shutting down good opponents with our pitching and strong defense," said Lastrapes. "There is no one that can stop us except ourselves, which is exciting, and we know we can do it."

Many others believe in the team as well. Two of those people are Lastrapes' parents, Dave and Renee Lastrapes. They have been with the team since she first put on her Husky uniform and they have provided her with a great support system and are a constant fixture in the stands.

"They come a lot. They were at California and Stanford last weekend and they will be there for Senior Day. My parents have been to a lot of games."

With all of her talent and a support system to match, it is a no brainer to think that Lastrapes will be successful in whatever she pursues next. Come June, she has her eyes set on playing overseas and then returning home to get into coaching.

"In June I am going over to Austria to play in Europe for the summer," said Lastrapes. "After that, I plan to go back to California and get involved in coaching. I would love to be a college coach."

Before she gets into the coaching mind set Lastrapes has some business on the diamond to attend to. She wants a national championship.

"I just want to get back to the World Series and compete for the NCAA Championship and this my last chance," said Lastrapes.

If good things really do happen to good people then Lastrapes and the rest of the Huskies will be packing their bags for Oklahoma City come June.