Kasey Ricard '22 Recruiting Profile

            My name is Kasey Ricard and I am a confident and determined right handed softball pitcher.  I started playing softball when I was 6 years old and have lived for the sport ever since.  Softball has not only helped me grow into a confident person but into a person who thrives under pressure.  When I first started playing I was not confident that I was good enough to play for a competitive softball team or have the courage to be on the mound in tough situations. Now after playing softball for over 8 years I have become more confident as a player and as a person.  I never wanted to be the starting pitcher or to finish pitching a game if it was tied or close, but after playing and being put in those situations I have grown into a person who not only wants to start every game but a person who wants to go into a game whenever any tough situation arises.  When pitching I feel I have some control what happens in the field and how the other team responds, and that is my favorite part of playing.  While playing this sport I have had to overcome obstacles, from the fear of not performing to my potential to injuries that have kept me out of the game.  I have learned that you cannot be afraid to make mistakes, but that you become a better player learning from your mistakes.  During the spring of my 7^th grade year I suffered a fractured vertebra.  This was one of the toughest injuries I have ever experienced.  This injury not only forced me wear a brace for 3 months but put me out for the summer softball season.  This injury was very hard to deal with, I was prohibited from throwing a softball or even running.  I became afraid that this would impact how I played the game and if I was ever going to play the same.  After my fracture was healed I started to practice again and ended up being the starting pitcher in a tournament only weeks afterwards. This injury taught me to not take softball for granted and to continue playing the game to the best of my abilities.

               As for college, it is a dream of mine to play softball at the college level.  At this time, I am interested in studying in the medical field.  When it comes to what college I want to go to I am very open minded and would be willing to move away from New England if I was given the opportunity. I have always been interested in the medical field from the stories my mother tells coming home from long days as a nurse in the ER.  Even though I am pretty confident that I want to go into the medical field these aspiring occupations could change through my high school career as I learn more about what I am truly interested in.  As for my academics I have had all A’s through all of my middle school years and hope to continue this throughout my high school career.

                My athleticism does not stop with softball but continues to field hockey and track. During my 8th grade year I slowly learned after I had joined the high school track team that I was interested in doing shot put. After the first meet I realized that I was good at it after receiving first at a high school varsity level competition. Then only months later I ended up setting the record for throwing shot put for the Littleton High School as an eighth grader and was awarded rookie of the year for winter track.  As a three-sport athlete I have gained the skills of confidence, work ethic, and determination to always become better, and would be a great addition to any team!