By: Frank Maira, Assistant Director of Athletics/Sports Information Director

MONT ALTO, Pa. - Freshman Spotlight: This Q&A will serve as a get to know you series for our Penn State Mont Alto spring freshman student-athletes.

1. Why did you choose to attend Mont Alto?

• I chose to attend Mont Alto for a few reasons. One being that it is not far away from hometown, only a little over an hour away. The second being that I wanted to continue my softball career while also being able to focus on school and Mont Alto allowed me to do both.  

2. If you could change one thing from your first year, what would it be and why?

• If I could change one thing from my first year it would've been to make more use of the library. I used to stay in my dorm to study, but I found that I got distracted easily doing that. When I went to the library, I tended to get more work done and stay focused. 

3. What is your major and why?

• My major is Nursing. I have always had an interest in healthcare professions and knew that I wanted to pursue something where I could help individuals who needed my help.  

4. What has been your favorite course at Mont Alto and why?

• My favorite course at Mont Alto has been anatomy and physiology lab. Mr. Long made the class fun and we learned a lot. I learn better when I do hands on activities so that class went well for me. The pass leaders also helped a lot and gave us unique ways of learning and remembering things. 

5. What is your favorite inspirational quote and who said it?

• "I don't need easy; I just need possible" -Bethany Hamilton.  

6. What is the hardest part of your sport?

• Personally, I think the hardest part of softball is mentality. Yes, of course you need to be in shape but a lot of the sport deals with how you are thinking. You must always think of the next play. Where you are going with the ball if it comes to you and if you're on offense, where you need to hit the ball to get your teammate around the bases.  

7. Name one obstacle or form of adversity you have had to overcome.

• I was in a car accident in 2017 and have had two hip surgeries since then. It was very difficult getting back into softball, to the point where I thought I was done playing all together. I actually just had my second surgery in November 2019 but went through rehab and was ready for the spring season! It still gives me problems, no doubt, but I have learned how to cope with it and work through it to be able to play.  

8. What advice do you have for a prospective Mont Alto student-athlete?

• Advice I would give to a prospective Mont Alto student-athlete would be to put your school work above everything. Once that is done, do what you love doing. Time management is huge, but it's worth it in the long run. Don't be afraid to speak up when you have school work to do, coaches will understand. In the long run, you can't play if your grades aren't right.  

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