Alyssa Aragon '18 Recruiting Profile

I am a high school senior and three-sport athlete (basketball, volleyball, and softball) at Niles North High School in Skokie, IL (2018). I want to focus on playing softball in college.

I began playing at the varsity level for all three sports my freshman year of high school.  Being the youngest on all three teams helped me mature quickly, both as an athlete, and as a leader.  As a junior,  I served as captain of all three teams.  I feel blessed to have been a part of the most successful softball team my high school has ever had. My freshman and sophomore year, our softball team won our division, and my freshman year we won the regional championship as well, finishing 30-6 overall. It was also the first time in many years that our girls basketball team won our division.  It was thrilling to be part of these successful programs from early on in my high school career.

My primary position on both my travel and school softball teams had been center field, however,  since April of 2017, I have been catching almost exclusively for both my high school and travel teams.  I have become very comfortable both in center field and behind the plate.  I read the ball well.  I work well with fellow outfielders and pitchers. I have great speed, agility, and arm strength and I'm not afraid to sacrifice my body to make a diving catch. My greatest thrill defensively is throwing runners out from center field or from behind the plate.  Offensively, I see the ball well and am able to consistently put the ball in play to keep innings going. I am smart and aggressive on the bases and am always looking for an opportunity to advance.  As a teammate, I love sharing exciting moments with my fellow teammates and being there to pick them up and cheer them on.

I am easy-going and flexible.  I recognize that as a player of team sports, its not about me and what I want;  its about doing what is best for the team.  I love to play and will happily play whatever position I'm needed in.  

Being in at least one sport all year round has helped me with my time management skills. I have been able to balance athletics, academics, and my social life. I would describe myself as an extrovert. I am funny and friendly, coachable and respectful. Over the years, I have received many awards for sportsmanship and hard work. Some of these awards include the coaches award (volleyball and softball), defensive player of the year (basketball), and all-conference player my freshman, sophomore and junior years (softball).  I won the all-conference awards as both a center fielder and as a catcher.

I would like to play softball at any level, at a school that offers a good education, an exciting sports environment, and is not too far from Illinois.