Michaela Quintana '22 Recruiting Profile

Ever since I was little my parents threw me into sports  including basketball, tennis, golf, baseball, and soccer but they left it up to me to stick with the sport I wanted. I always loved playing tee-ball when I was younger but it was mainly for the Pepsi and hot dog that I would get after my games. It wasn’t until I was 9  years old that it became something that I really loved. My Papa, one of the biggest role models in my family, died around this age and he always dreamed of big things for me. Playing baseball and shooting for the big leagues was always something from that point forward that I wanted to achieve for him. But while I was coping with his death I realized that the game was so much more to me than a dream. Being between the lines and on the pitcher’s mound, I felt as if I was finally home, the field had become my safe place. From this point on I ate, drank, and slept baseball, it was my whole world. Not only was it my safe place but it was quality time that I got to spend with my dad as well as lessons that I still apply to this day on and off the field. Growing up I’ve always been a tomboy and loved playing sports with my best guy friends so the thought of playing softball was probably the worst thing you could have said to a younger me. After playing summer, fall, and winter baseball for Desert Mountain High School I decided to switch back to my small hometown high school in the spring for the remainder of my freshman year. Our two towns are so different and I quickly found out that the baseball players and environment were as well, after it made practice and games feel like chores instead of playing the game I loved most. Once I switched schools some of my kindergarten friends convinced me to come out and practice with the softball team to see what it was about and instantly my love for the game was back. Although it is a very different game in certain aspects I still couldn’t be any more at home the moment I stepped onto the field with my family. I will always strive to pick up my girls, play for my team, keep a positive attitude and be the family member and teammate that I wanted my teammates to be on the high school baseball team.

My mom always taught me that school comes first but my dad always taught me that baseball comes first. So naturally, it was always a priority in my life to excel both athletically and academically. I currently have a 3.8 unweighted GPA and have always remained here if not better. I work extremely hard in my classes to the point where having a B stresses me out, I can’t even begin to think what I would do if my grade dropped below a B causing me to be ineligible for a game or two. So if I wanna play my favorite sport on this planet and not be stressed I tend to keep my grades at least 89% and above. The things that set me apart from other players are that both on and off the field I have integrity, leadership skills, a great work ethic, a positive attitude, a growth mindset, and overall I am extremely passionate about anything that I do and I always strive to be the best version of myself that I can be.