Why did you decide to come to Carleton?
My dad had a great experience as a Division III athlete at a small, liberal arts school. Going into my college search, I knew I wanted a similar experience. I’d lived in Boston my entire life, so I decided that I wanted to be in a different part of the country. I visited Carleton for the first time during my junior year and I was immediately impressed by the students’ friendliness and diverse range of interests. In speaking with Coach Erickson on and off throughout my college search, I was convinced that I would have a positive experience as a member of the Carleton Softball team. I applied early decision, I was accepted, and now I’m here.
What have been some of the differences between college and high school sports?
Coming out of any high school sports program, you will be used to the time commitment of a varsity sport. When I was younger, softball always took a huge chunk of my time (especially during season); it’s no different in college. However, at Carleton, our official season is squeezed into a much shorter time. My freshman year, I was stunned by the number of games we could play in only five weeks.
Do you feel that you have been changed by your involvement in athletics at Carleton?
Definitely. As a result of my participation in athletics at Carleton, I’ve learned so much about leadership, accountability, and trust. Not only have I benefitted from the coaching at Carleton, but I’ve also learned a lot from my teammates’ past experiences as Carleton student- athletes.
How do you maintain a balance between sports and other activities at Carleton?
Many students are really nervous about balancing a varsity sport with Carleton’s rigorous academics as well as other activities. In a Division III program, practices, games, and other athletic commitments are constructed around academic obligations. We are all students first, athletes second. It takes a significant amount of planning ahead, but in the event that you must miss class, professors are more than willing to meet with you to discuss what you missed in your absence. It is not hard to be a varsity athlete while also taking advantage of all the other unique opportunities Carleton offers.
