Sophia Wicklund '26 Recruiting Profile

                I have been playing softball since I was 10 years old. I started with rec ball in the very beginning and grew to love the sport and strive for more competition. The same summer that rec ball ended, I went straight into travel ball. I am currently in my 6^th season of travel ball. As of recently, I have made the All American team for the "Great Lakes" region. 

                I’ve been catching since my first travel ball season, and third base since rec ball. Since then, I have learnt outfield and first base. As of this season, I have been improving my skills in middle infield to become a well-rounded player. I got my first umpiring certificate when I was 12, and am now working towards umpiring games. Taking the umpiring classes has lead me to having a strong IQ of the game. I have always been a natural leader when it came to sports, which often leads me to love helping my teammates any way I can. I hustle no matter the situation, and always keep a good attitude.

                I have had personal coaches since I was 10 years old for hitting and catching. I work on my own whenever I can, and I often go to my pitchers practices to catch with them and form a closer bond. I also practice with girls on my teams on our own because I love working with fellow players. I’ve been playing piano since I was 5 years old, and have played in many recitals and other shows. I have taken the opportunity to start weight training this year and currently lead the high school girls in squat max, that being 285lbs.

                Academics are very important to me when it comes to high school and college. I have been taking honors classes since I first started middle school, and have kept high grades since then. I am doubling up on classes in high school so I have the possibility to graduate a semester early. I am in student council and my freshmen class fundraising committee.

                The summer before 8^th grade, I was watching a world series game with my dad and heard a story about a player who graduated early and went to play college softball immediately graduating high school in December. Hearing that story was the moment I decided I wanted to try to graduate early and work hard to play competitive college softball. My dad has been very present in my softball career and helping me every step of the way by being positive but honest. He has been practicing with me, becoming an assistant coach for my teams, and encouraging me to be better. I would love to make my parents proud by playing in competitive softball at a collegiate level.