Saint Mary's University of Minnesota Athletics

“When I stand before God at the end of this journey, I would hope that I would not have a single bit of talent left and could say, ‘I used everything you gave me’.”

I’m writing my Senior Salute and realizing it’s time to hang up the cleats. I never imagined that this day would even come, the day that this wouldn’t be my life anymore. Thank you to everyone who has been apart of this journey. I have spent fifteen years on a softball diamond: catching, throwing and hitting. This journey may be over but it was definitely worth every bruise, swing, throw and early morning practice.
    
To my parents: Thank you so much for the endless amount of support that you have given me these past years. To my mom, for driving to tournaments every weekend. Thank you for driving five hours just to see me play for one day. Thank you for always sending me positive energy every time I step out onto the field. Even though I always tell you not to post things on social media, I appreciate all the support you give me. To my dad, thank you for always believing in me and constantly pushing me to get better. Without you none of my accomplishments would have ever happened. I appreciate the constant advice and mentoring you give me. You’ve always taught me: Don’t ever let anyone tell you that you can’t do something, especially yourself. This has been my motivation to push myself and get to where I am now.
    
To my coaches: To all the coaches that have ever been apart of my life, thank you for believing in me. Thank you for giving me a chance. To my past coaches, I appreciate the hours you spent with me to get me to where I am now. To my present coaches, thank you for seeing something in me and having enough confidence in me to recruit me to play at Saint Mary’s. To Matt Sagar, thanks for always pushing us in the weight room. Thank you for always supporting us as well on and off the field.
    
To the athletic trainers: To my athletic trainers, thank you for helping all of us get ready before games by giving us time and patience. You help us so much by preparing for games by having heating pads and ice ready for us. I appreciate all the work and time you put into us. Thank you for helping us with injuries by rehabbing us and wrapping ice onto us. I just want to say thank you for all the hard work and dedication that is given to us. Jill, thank you for always being there for us.
    
To my friends/roommates: Thanks for the constant support! It really means a lot when I look up and you are at our games or cheering us on. I love the dedication and time you take out of your day to come watch our games.
    
To my team: Thank you for absolutely everything. Thank you for being my team. Thank you for being my best friends. Thank you for the best four years of my life. My advice for my team is to never give up and to always believe in yourself. Because one day this won’t be your life anymore. I’m graduating now, and I leave the Saint Mary’s legacy to you girls. I am so proud of each and every one of you. I hope you all play with heart for the rest of your years at Saint Mary’s; hit with confidence up at the plate, leave it all on the field, swing hard and run fast. I hope one day you see the true potential I see you girls have. Also, my back hurts a lot, not from carrying the team ever, but from getting hit by pitches at every game. I will also never forget that wonderful moment at Orange Tree Park where I thought that the vans got robbed and that we lost the training kit.
    
To the Freshmen: Your first season of softball has gone by. These next three seasons go even faster. We have only known each other for a year but I am so happy you joined the softball family. It has been an absolute amazing journey because of you girls. Tessa Mel Amber Mia, I am so proud of you girls and all the things you have accomplished! It is only your first year here and I have already seen huge improvements in all of you. Tessa, keep up the great things you’re doing at third base. Mel, I know its been a journey for you as well! Keep your head up and everything will pay off. Amber, thank you for always bringing a great attitude and presence to practice. To my little, Mia, it’s going to be really hard to say goodbye to you. Keep working hard, practice and play with every bit of talent you have. To you four girls, I hope this season treated you well. I also hope that one day you get to be where I am at now.
    
To the Sophomores: You are half way through your collegiate softball career. Keep working hard in everything you do off and on the field. Jordyn Allie Stanzy Abbey Brit Kali We’ve only spent two years together but I am so glad I can call you girls my best friends. Jordyn, keep telling great stories. Jordyn, thanks for being a great friend and teammate. Allie, I’m glad that you’re my locker buddy and you’re just as sassy as I am. Stanzy, my lefty buddy. Thanks for being my forever partner. I appreciate everything you’ve done for me and it has been so amazing working with you. I can’t wait to see what the future holds for you. Abbey, you were the best buddy ever. Keep doing the ‘weird thing’; I admire the hard work you always put in. You really have transformed dramatically and I can’t wait to see how far you are going to get when you’re in my position. Brit, keep doing your calf workouts you’re doing something right. From last year to this year, you have made huge improvements you are going to be a great leader and player in these next few years. Kali, thanks for being such an amazing person. Thank you for such an amazing softball experience it would not be the same without you.
    
To the Juniors: You will soon be where I am at now. Writing your senior salute even though you thought this day would never come. I hope you have the best senior season you could have. This is why you have worked your whole life preparing for this moment so you could play your senior year of college. Ashley Toni Kathi Alexa Gabby Molly Ashley, you are such a dedicated teammate. Toni, I love all the hard work you’ve put in since you were gone last season keep it up! Lex, you are a great person to work with and are very understanding of your role on the team. Gabby, you are one of the hardest working people on our team. Our team really looks up to this and needs it on their team. Thank you for adding this quality to our family. Molly, you are the toughest person I know and your head is like a steel cage.
    
To the Seniors: This is our last season together. It truly has been a blessing meeting and working with you three girls. Thank you for playing with every piece of your heart. I appreciate the hard work and time that you have put into softball because you girls really did make it the best. As our season comes to a close, you girls gave me the best four years of my life with unforgettable memories. Jessica Katie Kate Jessica, thank you for putting four years of hard work into our team. Katie, I have loved working with you for the past four years and I can’t believe that our time together is over. It has been an amazing ride. We have been teammates and coaches (kind of) together. Thank you for teaching me that: if you’re not going to put your whole heart into the sport, then why play at all? Kate, we may argue about every other minute but I am glad to call you one of my best friends and teammates.