NCSA caught up with softball standout Kirsti Buchholz about her high school career and the opportunity to compete at the college level.
NCSA: What motivates you before a big game? What's your pre-game ritual(s)?
Buchholz: Before a big game or a tournament, I think about how each ball game is a stepping stone to my future. I realize that in each game I am perfecting my skills so that I can make it to the next level and play the sport that I love in college. I think that each game is important, and that none should be taken for granted. These thoughts always motivate me to play with every ounce of energy and heart during a game. My pre-game ritual is to eat a pack of Sour Skittles before the games in which I am pitching. The sugar and the superstition help me to pitch my best.
NCSA: What are you looking forward to if and when you get the opportunity to play on a collegiate level?
Buchholz: I am looking forward to maturing in every aspect of life - on the field, in the classroom, and with the new people I will encounter around me.
NCSA: Why did you get involved in the sports you played in? (Is it a family tradition, do you admire an athlete in the sport)?
Buchholz: I got involved in softball because my mom played softball when she was in high school, and her high school team won the Chicago City Championship when she was a senior. Whenever she talked about her years on the softball team, it sounded so much fun to me, so my parents signed me up for t-ball.
NCSA: Tell us about your interactions with college coaches so far.
Buchholz: My interactions with college coaches so far have been pleasant. I have corresponded via email, snail mail, phone conversations, and in person. Many of the coaches are very kind and helpful, and are always willing to answer any questions I have about their school and their program.
NCSA: How are your team(s) doing so far? (Club teams, high school teams)? Any challenges this season? How are you excelling personally, how does that compare to previous years?
Buchholz: My high school team is doing very well. We have only lost one game, and it was to a team that is ranked #1 in their class in the state. The most challenging part about this season is balancing the always difficult practices with a full load of Advanced Placement course homework. Sleep is a wonderful thing during softball season. Personally, I am doing very well this season in all aspects of my game, especially pitching. I am doing much better than I did last year during high school season.
NCSA: What are your goals - athletically, academically and in your community - for the rest of the school year? What are also your goals for the summer? Are you looking to improve your speed, skills, acing a course?
Buchholz: My softball goals for the school year are to finish with an ERA of under 0.5 and to reach the state tournament with my team. Academically, I want to score 5's on both my AP American History and AP Calculus BC exams. For the summer, my goals are to consistently pitch 60+ mph, to give a verbal commitment to a college to play softball, and to work out every day. I have already gained pitching speed, but I would like to continue doing so, so that I don't plateau at the wrong time.
NCSA: Tell us about what you've learned since being with NCSA. Have you learned about how to talk with coaches? Have you learned some rules on playing at the next level? What's the biggest take-away you have from your experience here?
Buchholz: I have learned to ask coaches any questions that pertain to their college and their program. I have learned to pay close attention and be undistracted when talking to coaches. The biggest thing that I have taken away from this experience is to always reply to every piece of information received, because when information is disregarded, a chance to play at the next level fades away.
