Sports reporter Ethan Dudgeon talked to softball seniors to get their thoughts on goals, regionals and plans after high school.
SENIOR KATELYNN GORTON
Q: What are your personal softball goals?
A: My main personal softball goal for this season was being able to produce in high pressure situations for my team.
Q: Why do you play softball?
A: I play softball because it’s something that’s fun to do with my friends.
Q: What are your strengths?
A: One of my main strengths is not getting too emotional in the game and being able to stay calm even when I’m not doing well.
Q: How do you best utilize those strengths?
A: I utilize that strength anytime I play and I’m in a tough situation. It helps to know that I’ll always have another chance and my teammates will pick me up.
Q: What are your weaknesses?
A: One of my weaknesses is getting frustrated easily, but I do a pretty good job not showing it.
Q: What can you do to improve these weaknesses?
A: I can work on it by trying to remind myself that it’s just a game.
Q: What makes playing softball enjoyable?
A: How close I am with a lot of the girls on the team.
Q: How do you feel about regionals ?
A: I think we’ll do good. It’s so fun to be able to host regionals, especially with it being my senior year.
Q: What are your plans after high school?
A: After high school, I plan to attend Oklahoma State University and get a degree in exercise science.
SENIOR BELA COCA
Q: What are your personal softball goals?
A: My personal softball goals are to just better myself as a teammate and to work hard.
Q: Why do you play softball?
A: I play softball because I enjoy the game and it’s so fun and fast paced.
Q: What are your strengths?
A: My strengths in softball are being fast and having a good arm.
Q: How do you best utilize those strengths?
A: I utilize these strengths by running the bases and throwing people out.
Q: What are your weaknesses?
A: My weakness in softball is getting down on myself.
Q: What can you do to improve these weaknesses?
A: I can improve this weakness by just thinking about the next play and leaving it in the past.
Q: What makes playing softball enjoyable?
A: Cheering with my teammates and making big plays makes softball enjoyable.
Q: What do you not like about playing softball?
A: I don’t like the heat while playing softball
Q: How do you feel about regionals?
A: I am very excited for regionals. It’s such a fun atmosphere and, we’re hosting.
Q: What are your plans after high school?
A: My plans after high school are to finish cosmetology school and go to college.
SENIOR BRITTANI MURRAY
Q: What are your personal softball goals?
A: My personal softball goals are to make it far in this sport, and to also help out younger athletes and be a role model to them in the future.
Q: Why do you play softball?
A: I play softball because it’s fun, competitive and it’s the reason I am who I am.
Q: What are your strengths?
A: My strengths are being able to get out of really tough situations in a game, and I’ve always been known for being really coachable.
Q: How do you best utilize those strengths?
A: I best utilize those strengths by using resiliency to keep me and the team calm under pressure, and If I keep being coachable then I’ll quickly improve and adapt.
Q: What are your weaknesses?
A: Some of my weaknesses are that I get in my head a lot, I have a lot of doubts and worries when I play, mainly in myself, and I don’t have a very strong mental game sometimes.
Q: What can you do to improve these weaknesses?
A: I can improve these weaknesses by realizing I’m good at what I do, and I just need to go out every game believing I’m one of the best on the field.
Q: What makes playing softball enjoyable?
A: I’d say the teammates and bonds I have are what makes playing softball enjoyable.
Q: How do you think your season will go?
A: I think our season is going great, and will continue to go great. I could really see us making it to state this year.
Q: How do you feel about regionals ?
A: I feel a little nervous, but mostly excited about regionals especially because we get to host this year, which we haven’t done in two years.
Q: What are your plans after high school?
A: I plan to play softball in college, and to pursue a bachelor’s degree in Hospitality and Tourism: Event Management.