Tristen Maddox '20 Recruiting Profile

Some of the most important things I have learned during my freshman year of softball are the value of time management, flexibility and being a team leader. During this year, I made the varsity softball team earning the starting position of shortstop. As we began preparing for district play by participating in several scrimmages, I saw that our team was struggling with pitching. We only had 2 players who could pitch, and struggled with stamina after the 2^nd or 3^rd inning. Although I love playing shortstop and have primarily played this position, I knew that in order for our team to be successful, that we needed additional pitchers who could step in after the starting pitching had been exhausted. I began working on pitching on my own on weekends and after practices, often watching YouTube videos on how to throw particular pitches, and collaborating with pitchers from my select team to try to learn proper grips/spins. After I had worked on this in my spare time and gained some consistency with my pitches, I approached our coach and told him that I had been practicing pitching for when our pitchers needed relief and asked if he could take a look at what I could do. From there, he decided that I would be best utilized as the starting pitcher and re-organized the infield throughout the season.

 I learned so much about myself that year, as taking a position that I was not as familiar with took so much extra time outside of scheduled practices and I had to constantly work hard to be the best that I could be in this new position. This also seemed to help earn me a position as a team leader as my team mates would ask me to help them with what they were supposed to do as they shifted positions on the field, and would ask me for pointers on batting, throwing, and even pitching.

I learned a lot about time management and prioritizing, as my privilege to play softball is contingent on all of my grades being above a B. I had to plan my days to be able to use my time effectively to meet the demands of school, studying, school practice, as well as continuing to play with my select team and meet those practices and tournaments. I am a multi-sport athlete, earning a spot as one of two sophomores on the varsity volleyball team as well as the varsity swim team (while my select softball team plays year round) so these skills are used year-round.

When selecting a college, I am looking for a school that will help me pursue a degree either in the medical or legal field, while allowing me to play softball at the next level. I am looking for more than just a team to play on, but am looking for a connection with my teammates – a second family. I want to play on a team that will push me to succeed on and off the field and constantly challenge me to be better than I was the day before.