NCSA caught up with rising softball star Cary Thereon to discuss her high school career and the opportunity to compete at the next level.
NCSA: What motivates you before a big game?
Thereon: I usually tend to motivate myself before a game. I don't have anything specific that I do such as watching a movie, listening to a song, praying, etc. When I get out on the field to start stretching and warming up, I know it's time to focus and I clear my mind of everything but softball. I also take my warm-ups just as serious as the game itself. Warm up 100%, so you can play 110%.
NCSA: What are you looking forward to if and when you get the opportunity to play at the collegiate level?
Thereon: There are so many things that I am looking forward to when playing at the collegiate level. I am excited about the opportunity to continue playing as well as to improve myself as an athlete and as a person. I also look forward to meeting new people and developing relationships that I will keep up with - hopefully - after college.
NCSA: Why did you get involved in softball?
Thereon: There isn't a specific reason why I started playing softball. I used to be a dancer and I played soccer and basketball. I was never interested in softball. One day I just decided that I wanted to play and I fell in love with the game, so I stuck with it.
NCSA: Tell us about your interactions with college coaches so far.
Thereon: Oh my goodness. Letters galore! I come home from school everyday and have a new stack of letters waiting for me on the table. I have heard from so many schools that I never even knew existed. Starting this year I have also been receiving phone calls, which I enjoy.
NCSA: How does your team look for this season?
Thereon: This fall my club team hasn't really played many games. We played twice and I was on college visits both days, figures. We have mostly just been practicing, and getting together as a team to hang out and get to know each other. We had a pizza party last week and we had a Wii tennis tournament. Personally, I have been going to Acceleration (Get Fast). It is intense. They have these high-tech treadmills that they use to increase athletes' speed. They increase leg strength, speed and agility. I absolutely love going there; it's fun but hard at the same time. I am also in strength and conditioning PE class, so I am in the weight room three times a week strengthening my arms.
NCSA: What are your goals athletically, academically and in your community for the rest of the school year?
Thereon: I am a very good student, so my goal is to continue getting good grades and to work hard in all my classes. I want to improve my class rank a little, even though they don't call you up by class rank at graduation, to me it is important. Athletically- this year I would like to be the starting pitcher for the high school team and I would like to improve my pitching, hitting, fielding, everything. I just added a new pitch to my regime, the drop which I haven't thrown since probably freshman year. I would also like to increase my speed so I can run out a few more grounders. Over the summer I hope to do the same. I intend to continue to improve myself as a player by working hard.
