Zoë Popoch '24 Recruiting Profile

My name is Zoe Popoch. I've played sports since I could walk, and love how they've shaped much of my life up until this point. I started playing baseball when I was four years old and never stopped playing. I tried out for my high school team my freshman year and became the first girl to ever make the baseball team at my high school. In my sophomore year I went out for soccer. During one of the first trainings I blocked a shot and broke three of my fingers. While it was a set-back I was chosen to play, even with only playing a short while in goal before the break. My varsity team went 15-3-3 during that season, which was incredible. I aspire to play at the highest level I can both in college and professionally. I play sports not only for the competition but for the love and fun of the game. I believe I would be a great candidate for a team because I am a natural leader, dedicated to my goals and understand the sacrifice needed to pursue my dream.

My experience playing baseball has really shaped my ability to overcome challenge and to stand up to adversity. I have been told my entire life that girls cant play baseball, called out by kids, adults, men, women alike telling me, "You should switch to softball" "I wont coach her or give her any lessons unless she switches to softball." I am proud of what I've accomplished and overcome and know I carry those experiences with me always.

Academically, I want to become a scientific researcher, get my PhD in Marine Biology, and become a college professor. By this time next-year I hopefully be doing an Internship at Birch Aquarium at Scripps Institutions of Oceanography.