NCSA caught up with rising softball star Christina Rankin to talk about her high school career and the opportunity to compete at the next level.
NCSA: What motivates you before a big game?
Rankin: I love to listen to music before a game, nothing in particular, just songs that pump me up.
NCSA: What are you looking forward to if and when you get the opportunity to play softball in college?
Rankin: I am so excited to continue my softball career at a very high level. Winning the conference and going to the post season has always been a dream of mine and realizing I have the opportunity to do that and go to the World Series is the best feeling ever.
NCSA: Why did you get involved in softball?
Rankin: When I was younger I was put into every single sport. Soccer, flag football, softball, golf, basketball, dance... I did it all. When I got older, I started to excel in softball more than the other sports and my love and passion for the sport grew.
NCSA: Tell us about your interactions with college coaches so far.
Rankin: Before I started with NCSA, I was not having a lot of success with coaches emailing or calling me back. I think this was mostly because I was sending emails and calls to the wrong coaches. After my Scouting Report went up, I received so many emails and calls and it was a huge confidence booster.
NCSA: How is your team doing so far?
Rankin: During the fall my softball team, Team Indiana, did very well. We were able to play in a tournament in Taiwan and at first we were a little shaky, but we improved as the week went on. For high school, tryouts just ended and our first game is in two weeks. This season for high school we face a lot of challenges because we lost seven seniors from last year who were big and powerful. This year's team is mostly small, fast girls who have never played varsity. This season is going to be interesting, but we have set our goals and ready to reach those. Personally, my hitting has become so much more consistent. I have worked hard during and after lessons and have gained a lot of confidence.
NCSA: What are your goals – athletically, academically and in your community – for the rest of the school year?
Rankin: Athletically- Continue to be a role model and leader on the field. Also, hit above .400 and when I catch, make good hard throws and block consistently.
Academically- Finish my year with a 3.8 GPA and not have SENIORITIS! haha
Community- I want our team to inspire little girls who are interested in playing softball.
Summer- I want to play consistently and produce where ever my coach puts in for defense and offense.
Improvements- speed
NCSA: Tell us about what you’ve learned since being with NCSA.
Rankin: I have learned that you should not be afraid of calling coaches. A phone call is so much more personal than an email. Also, I have learned that at the beginning of the recruiting process you might have a certain school or division you want to play in, but when you put everything in perspective- major, location, coach, players, and how much you love the sport- your ideas and opinions change. Thanks so much!
