Sydney Nielsen '19 Recruiting Profile

I have been playing softball since I was 4 years old.  Over the years I have taken the extra steps to be the best catcher I can be.  I have attended various camps throughout the years.  I take hitting lessons with Coach Gayle Blevins (Former University of Iowa Head Softball Coach).  I also have catching lessons with Coach Nicole Wood (Former catcher and assistant coach at Drake University).  As an 8th grader, I was the varsity starting catcher.  The program went from having a losing season the previous year to one game away from making the state tournament when I stepped in as an 8th grader.  I would like to think that being a positive person and accepting my new role as the starting catcher helped the team gain some confidence.  I was the only person in our goal setting meeting that wrote down go to state as the team goal.  You might say I was a little gutsy but I had confidence in my teammates that we could do great things.  We did great things but fell short of getting to state by one game. 

Some qualities that make me a valuable student-athlete for any college program includes my ability to work well with others, being coachable, having a strong work ethic, and my leadership skills on and off the field.  I consider myself to be a role model to others by working hard and making good decisions on and off the field. I am committed to putting in the time and effort needed to continue to be successful in both my academic and athletic careers. My softball goal is to be part of a team that competes for conference titles, regional titles, play in the Women’s College World Series and perhaps one day play on a National Pro Fastpitch Team. 

Being a good person, teammate, and student is how I was brought up and it is who I am.  I feel that I would be a great addition to any program and I will work hard on and off the field every day.  Dream big or go home!