NCSA caught up with rising softball star Danielle Lagerstrom to talk about her high school career and the opportunity to compete at the next level.
NCSA: What motivates you before a big game?
Lagerstrom: After pre-game warm-ups I like to either sit and listen to music (We're Gonna Win - Bryan Adams) or think about the game and the goals that I want to achieve every time I am on the field.
NCSA: What are you looking forward to if and when you get the opportunity to play at the collegiate level?
Lagerstrom: When I get the opportunity to play at the collegiate level the thing that I most look forward to is meeting new people and playing the game that I love! I think it will also be really cool to live in a new city and see new things. Plus, the traveling for softball will be really fun!
NCSA: Why did you get involved in softball?
Lagerstrom: It all started back in pre-school when I started playing t-ball because my dad wanted me to, and I have played it ever since. Once I started playing club softball is when I truly realized that I loved playing.
NCSA: Tell us about your interactions with college coaches so far.
Lagerstrom: So far the interactions are going great; I have received a lot of letters so far. I didn’t even know most of these schools existed! I have received a few from Ohio, California, Massachusetts - all over really. One of the first calls I received from a coach was so unexpected. I was about ready to go to bed and my mom calls me and tells me that I have a call. We had no idea who it was from and then when I started talking I realized she was a coach from Lakeland College. I was so surprised that I didn't know what to say on the phone.
NCSA: How are your team(s) doing so far?
Lagerstrom: Well, right now it is the off-season for us, but we are playing "dome-ball" in Rosemount, MN. Everything is going great and I am really looking forward to high school season this year although it will be a huge challenge! Last year we had a phenomenal year. We had seven starting seniors and two starting sophomores (me at SS, and my friend at 2nd). Losing all of our seniors will be very difficult for us to compete considering that we are losing our 4-year starting pitcher that won a lot of games for us. Club this year is also going to be a challenge as well. I decided to play up and play at the 18U level for our club, the Minnesota Irish. I just hope we can win a second national championship this year, but it will be a struggle.
NCSA: What are your goals – athletically, academically and in your community – for the rest of the school year?
Lagerstrom: My goals athletically every year are to improve my speed, hitting, reaction timing on the field, and power. I lift weights and train for speed twice a week and I practice my hitting skills 2-3 nights a week in my basement. Then I get to practice my fielding and throwing about once a week, and then we have 2 games every week. For school, I am trying to maintain my 4.0 GPA, but it is very difficult with a rigorous class schedule (AP Language, AP Economics, Chemistry, Pre-Calculus, and Spanish 4).
NCSA: Tell us about what you’ve learned since being with NCSA.
Lagerstrom: I have learned so much from NCSA! By having mock phone calls with coaches, I have been very prepared for calls! I also learned that it is important to ask questions to coaches so that they know that you have done your homework and want to play for them. The most important thing that I have learned is that every contact is important! And to never turn away a coach and to make sure you always respond because you never know what your future holds.
