- 2016 Highlights
Personal Statement
My name is Megan Burdziak. I will graduate from Abington High School in 2017. My goal is to play softball in college because I love softball and hope to play as long as possible. Even after college I hope to continue to be a part of softball as my sisters and mother are still involved. I began playing travel softball at 8 and started pitching instructions at the end of my first year. I worked hard to earn the starting second base position and worked my way from fourth to first pitcher. I started pitching instruction with Mr. Casella who really helped me get started in the right way. When he retired and relocated, I began working with Emily Donnelly who was also trained by Mr. Casella. I continue to work with her as she has helped me so much.
The most important aspect to my game is my hard work. I consistently attend team practices and I train and practice on my own. I also think it is important to listen to my coaches. After struggling in a game one weekend, I asked my coach what could I do? He suggested that I work on my change-ups. I put more time into working on the change-up and in the next weekend tournament, my change-up was much more effective and my whole pitching approach was much better. I always want to work to improve my game so that I can help my team. I am a team player who supports her teammates by being a role model of practice. I am very loyal to my team: I began travel ball in 10 U and moved with the same team to 12U and 14U. Originally we were called Philly flash, but our organization merged with Philadelphia Spirit and now we are 18U Philadelphia Spirit. I am always loyal to my coaches and team.
As far as my hitting is concerned, I struggled as a right handed hitter. My coaches felt that I might do better as a left-handed hitter because I am naturally left handed (even though I pitch and field right-handed). Well, they were correct. Since I can run fast and run bases well they first taught me how to slap and bunt. Now I am a complete left-handed hitter (bunt, slap, hit) with a batting average over 0.400 and an on base average of over 0.500. I am so glad that I trust my coaches.
For my high school Varsity team, I earned the second base starting position by the end of last season including the play-offs. I was given a few opportunities to pitch and I was successful. My High School Coach said she was very happy with my progress and has high hopes for the upcoming seasons. This year I am leading off, playing second, and getting many successful pitching opportunities.
Academically, I have challenges. When I was in grade and middle school I had an IEP to get extra help for a learning disability that they said was a processing delay. I worked real hard with the reading specialists and my teachers that I no longer required extra assistance when I started high school. In fact, in 9th grade I got the reading achievement award at the 9th grade honors assembly. Last year, I was named student of the month. Even though school work is sometimes hard for me, I believe that no matter what, if I work really hard, I can achieve. I have been able to improve my class rank from 327 of 569 to 280 of 569, and I am on the honor roll for this school year so far. I had always been interested in fashion and originally thought about fashion design, but I now would like to pursue a career in Health Sciences or Exercise Sciences with the hope of going to graduate school for Physical Therapy.
I am so excited to go to college to be well prepared for the my career and to play softball.
