Saint Mary's University of Minnesota Athletics

Time flies when you’re having fun, right? This is the only phrase that can summarize the last four years of my life. I can’t believe it is all coming to an end, and so abruptly at that! I feel like I’ve only been at Saint Mary’s for a short while, like my time here isn’t done yet. Professors are quick to remind me that it is though, as they tell me the date of finals, amidst us trying to cram softball games in during the snowiest season of softball ever. I can honestly say that I have no regrets, and I feel prepared for the future with what our Italian tour guide Claudia always said when crossing very busy Italian streets: NO FEAR!

I suppose I will start with saluting my family, for they always come first. They have been my rock and my support system. Dad, Mom, Max- you are always there when I need you and you keep me grounded. Not literally anymore though. Dad, you have been my coach since the day I was born, and I have never had a coach that I respect more than you. We have many things in common, one of those being that we will both be crying by the time we are done reading this! I have always been Daddy’s little girl, but man, am I quick to turn on you when Mom says the words “shopping” or “pedicure.” Mom, all I want to do is be like you when I grow up. You have taught me so many life lessons, and you are so good at helping me make decisions. You have made every effort to make sure that someone was at my games, whether it was you or Dad, and for that I want to thank you. It means a lot to me that you do that. Maxwell, you’re welcome for busting you out of school so often the past few years so you can come watch me play ball. You have even gotten to skip school to go to Arizona with me, lucky dog! You keep me on my toes, and I am always looking over my shoulder at home for fear of getting jumped by you! I am dreading the day that you are bigger than me… it’s going to be a rude awakening when you can actually take me. You three mean the world to me, and I want you to know that I love you all.

To my friends along the way- this mainly encompasses softball girls. You were a built-in friend group for me as soon as I got to Saint Mary’s. You showed me the ropes, and most definitely helped to shape me into the ball player I am today. I will forever have fond memories of 808, the locker room, 111, and of course the softball field with you all. I could not get through this without acknowledging that I actually do have friends outside of softball too, believe it or not. To Lexi, you are such a sweetheart and one of the best friends a person can have. I have loved living with you and I know you will do good things for this world. To my friends from home, you have showed me such true friendship and support that I feel spoiled to have you all. None of you played softball, yet you all care enough to ask me how it’s going and volunteer to suffer through a few double-headers here and there. For that I want to thank you.

It’s so funny how all sports are is a game, yet to players, it feels like life. There is some truth to that statement, for I have built a life around softball. As I said before, my teammates are some of my best friends. Miss Hailey, as I sit here writing this, you are not even five feet from me. This sums up the past four years. We have been roommates, teammates, peers, coworkers, captains, and friends. My experience at Saint Mary’s would not be the same without you. You are such a passionate girl, with such a caring heart. It’s hard to sum up four years of an inseparable friendship, but I can tell you this: you are a friend that I will always hold near and dear to my heart, and I will always be there for you. To my fellow seniors, Julie, Anna, and Kayla, you have made softball so much fun. Julie, you keep me sane in the outfield and have kept me company on our side of the house the last two years. I wouldn’t want it any other way. Anna, you honest to God surprise me every day… never a dull moment with you. Kayla, you are a dedicated and hard-working individual.  There is no one else that I want to play defense for. To the rest of the team, keep on keeping on! If you forget everything else about me, at least remember this: what you put in is what you will get out. I’m referring to softball of course, but also life in general. Figure out what you want, and go get it. Have a drive, a purpose.

I also owe coaches and faculty many thanks. Coach Miller and Coach Bray have helped me find success on the field as well as off the field. I have gotten to know them both as coaches as well as friends, and they have helped instill the values that I already hold. All of the accounting professors, the business department, and Professor Reed have made such an impact as well. They have helped me prepare for the real world and have set me up for success.

I sit here joking with Hailey, saying that there is no way that I could write a novel for my senior salute, because I don’t have that many words in my vocabulary. She looks at me and laughs, and shows me that she has written at least three times what I have. This is standard. I am a person that likes to keep things short and sweet, and everyone that I have mentioned deserves so much more than a few lines in a GameDay program. Thank you to everyone, you have helped me become who I am today.