Satvika Iyer '24 Recruiting Profile

Softball has been the constant in my life so far. From when I took my first swings at a tee at the age of 5, I knew that I felt most content and at home with a bat or a  glove in my hands. Even back then, I couldn’t get enough of the sport. After our impromptu practices, I would ask my dad to throw me just one more pop fly or let me hit off of his pitches one more time.

As an athlete, I always look to challenge myself and build both physical and mental skills by participating in different sports. However, no other sport has given me the unique combination of skill, athleticism, individual effort and teamwork required to succeed,  than I’ve found in softball. The motivation I have to excel is reflected in my conscious efforts to improve my physical strength, concentration, and skill through fitness, skill drills and exercise routines.On the field, I truly love to see my hard work and athleticism pay off. My background in martial arts (jiu jitsu & taekwondo red-black belt), kickboxing, and wrestling have taught me that the human body is a multifaceted tool that we must respect, and with time, will always reward hard work. Softball provides the opportunity for great individual performances, but the reason I love to play is the teamwork involved in the outcome of a game. I take a leadership position on the field as a shortstop, pitcher,and center field alike, and my teammates can always count on me to keep focused and do my best to motivate the team to a win.It’s a great joy to find solace in the team that values your skills and can support you in learning. 

I have not seen many professional athletes that look like me for a role model, in any of the sports I’ve played.I believe that as a first generation Indian American, my college experience will be so much more meaningful in terms of my family. I will be the first in my family to attend undergraduate college in the US. I am interested in pursuing a STEM related subject for my undergraduate degree. Through courses that I took with Duke University’s Talent Identification Program (TIP) and Johns Hopkins Center for Talented Youth (CTY) over the past summers (Game Theory and Economics,Inductive and Deductive Reasoning & Introduction to Epidemiology) while also playing softball, I realized that I savored a schedule where I challenged myself both mentally and physically with different activities.I hope to find that sense of balance in college. 

Outside of softball, I feel most calm when in nature and believe that we must nurture the world we live in. I was recognized for an environmental stewardship award by Naturebridge in 2019.I I look forward to the volunteer opportunities that high school presents and intend to lead an environmental sustainability club. I believe the right college for me is one that will be able to support my thirst for knowledge and provide a platform for innovation and leadership.

I took the PSAT 8/9 in 6th grade and was honored by Duke TIP for placing in the top 10% of scores when compared to 10th graders that also took the test. I also took the SAT exam in 7th grade and scored 1280/1600. I received an award from DUKE TIP for placing at the 98th percentile for this above grade test. I have been on the Gold Honor Roll and have earned straight As for the past 15 quarters of middle school. I have participated and won awards in multiple science fair competitions and was honored to be selected to represent my school at the Synopsys Science Fair in 2019. I am currently taking above grade math courses and help tutor a 6th grade student as well as my younger brother in 3rd grade. For now, I look forward to the volunteer opportunities that high school presents and intend to lead a fitness club.