Saint Mary's University of Minnesota Athletics

Summer after summer and spring after spring; I’ve spent my life on the diamond. Softball has always been a part of my life, and unfortunately, the time has come for me to hang up my cleats.  The last four years at Saint Mary’s have been four of the most memorable years of my life and I wouldn’t trade it for the world. There are so many people to thank before my time is up and I have to say goodbye.
    
First and foremost, I need to thank my two biggest supporters who have been there from the start, my parents. Originally, I didn’t want to play softball at all. I tagged along to sign up my little brother for baseball, and my dad pushed me to join softball. After I put up quite a fight (shocker, I know), I joined, and 15 years later, I couldn’t thank my dad enough for that day. Mom, thank you for pretty much being my chauffer. Whether it was early morning tournaments, exposure camps (which you know I hated), or practice after practice, you have been there to do it all. You are a crazy softball mom, but you’re my crazy softball mom and I wouldn’t have it any other way. I know that you haven’t been able to come to many games during season, but I know that you’re watching online or keeping up with the games cheering me on! Mom and Dad, without you two, I would have never been able to play the sport I love for as long as I have. I truly appreciate everything that you both have done for me. I wouldn’t be the person I am today without you two, and I am so blessed to have you as my parents. Thank you for giving me the world, love you!
    
Sarah, Samantha, and Jeff, thank you for being the three best siblings I could have asked for. Thank you for always supporting me no matter what and being there when I need you. Even when we all butt heads, I know that I can count on you. Thank you, Jeff, for being competitive with me over the years and making me better as an athlete. Sarah and Samantha, I look up to you both in every thing you do in life, and I am so blessed to have two amazing older sisters as role models. Love you all more than I show ;)
    
Miller and Cbray, thank you for everything you have taught me over the past four years, not just softball, but leadership and life lessons as well. Thank you for teaching me to be a strong, confident leader on and off the field. I’m so happy I made the choice to play for Saint Mary’s and I thank you for all of the opportunities you have given me throughout my career. Mel and Cassie, you both have also taught me so much and I will take everything I’ve learned here and the memories with me forever.
    
Jill, my second mom, HUGE thank you for everything that you have done for me over the past 3 years. You’ve put me back together injury after injury, and care for me just like my own mama, and I couldn’t be more grateful!
    
My older lady cards (Nicole, Mitch, Bre, Hailey, Paige, Julie, Anna, Kayla, Kristen): To the one’s who came before me, thank you for setting the stage for my whole college career. I was unbelievably blessed to share the field with you ladies. Each and every one of you has taught me so much about the game, leadership, and life, and I couldn’t be more thankful to have my “older girls” be my role models. You taught me cardinal softball, and I will never forget all of the wild memories made with you all. Now I’m apart of the alumni crew! Let’s get the camper and show up in style next year!
    
Neeks and Kellie: Although I never got to actually play with you two on the field, having you both around my freshman year as coaches and friends helped me so much. I am so grateful for the time you put into helping me improve as a player, and for the continued support over my four years.
    
Hailey and Paige: words could never express the love I have for you two. Thank you for taking me under your wing as a freshman and making me the woman I am today. Your constant support and love have gotten me through some of the toughest times, and I am so blessed to have you two by my side always.
    
Sam: Well, we did it! Four years later, and two are left standing. I am so glad to have spent the past four years playing with you by my side. From baby freshman, to grownup (debatable) seniors, you have pushed me to be the best that I can be and I couldn’t be more thankful for that. I think you’ve come to know me better than I know myself, and have had my back through it all. Even though I could strangle you from time to time, I couldn’t have asked for a better teammate and friend to play the game I love with. Congrats on an amazing college career, Sam! You’re always going to do great things!   
    
Juniors: This is it; it is now your time to shine! I’ve loved playing with all of you over the past three years, and I know that you will all kill it next year. My advice would be to enjoy every minute of your final year and never take any of it for granted. It’s going to fly by, trust me. Be the leaders for the rest of the team, and carry on the traditions of cardinal softball.
    
Sophomores: To the goofiest group of girls I know, thank you all for bringing so much laughter and fun to the team the past two years. It has been fun playing with you the past two years and I can’t wait to see what you guys bring to the table as upperclassmen!
    
Freshmen: My babies. I am going to miss you fools like crazy. I have never enjoyed a season more than playing with you goofballs, and I can’t wait to see you all grow over the next 3 years. Enjoy each and every year that you have at school. Make mistakes, have fun, but most importantly play your heart out each season. I’ll be back, don’t you worry!
    
Mary: I am so lucky to have met you 4 years ago. My life has changed for the better having you in it, and I can’t thank you enough for that. Thank you for always being my number one fan, and for being my own little piece of home. I’m blessed because I get to have my best friend live only 15 minutes away from me, so it is not goodbye but see you next week. You have been by my side through everything, and I probably wouldn’t have survived college without you. I call left side in your wedding pictures! Love you to the moon and back, mar!  
    
David: Tubbs, I can’t tell you enough how thankful I am to have you in my life. No matter what, you’ve been there for me through everything. You’ve supported me in school and softball, been there for me when I dramatically think everything is falling apart, and put me in my place when I am being a pain. Thank you for all of the advice you’ve given me, and for making me a stronger and better person because of it. I’m going to miss fighting with you every other day (but let’s be honest that won’t ever stop) and lunch dates with the three best friends. But you can’t get rid of me that easily, don’t forget about thirty.
    
To Saint Mary’s baseball: A big thank you to all of my favorite baseball guys over the past 4 years who have been there to support me, cheer me on, and most of all, give me a hard time. You have all been like brothers to me and I’m going to miss all of you guys. It’s been so fun watching you boys be so successful, and I wish the freshmen, sophomores, and juniors luck in their years to come! Love always, your bro Raske.
    
Roomies: Kenz and Ror, shout out to the best roomies a girl could ask for. I am so happy I got to live with my 201 family this year. I am going to miss our post-it notes, lazy Sundays, dancing and singing Celine Dion, wars with the neighbors, watching Family Feud and SVU on repeat, but most of all I’m going to miss seeing the two of you every day (softy). Thank you guys for everything you’ve done for me and for supporting me through it all. It’s been a crazy fun year thanks to you guys. Love you both!
  
301: The best guys you’ll ever meet. Kev, Cake, and Cleat, thank you for being the best neighbors and friends ever! I’m going to miss catch phrase, movie nights, the Bachelor, and seeing who can make the most noise hitting the floor/ceiling. Thank you for supporting me on my good days, and listening to me vent on the bad days. #TeamBestFriends4Lyfe
    
To my fan club, Corrine, Hales, Jordyn, and Sam: Thank you for always being there and cheering me on no matter what.     
    
Corrine- our friendship has grown over the past 4 years and I couldn’t have asked for a more supportive and loyal friend in my life. Hales-my baby, I am going to miss the heck out of you.  Who would have thought this little freshman would change my life in such a short time. Thank you for everything. Jord- Queen Sass, my mini me, thank you for being you. Don’t forget to never take life too seriously, and remember there is always a positive side to every situation. Slam- Thank you for being the best friend and supporter I could ask for even from five hours away. Don’t know where I’d be without you in my life.
    
It’s hard to put into words the thought of saying goodbye to something that has defined me my whole life. They weren’t kidding when they said these four years would fly by. My college career has come to an end and I couldn’t be more thankful and blessed for the opportunities that I was given. I will miss putting on the Cardinal uniform, but the memories will stay with me forever. Thank you for having me SMU, it has been one hell of a ride!