April 19, 2019
In our second alumni spotlight of the 2019 season, we highlight two Honor Roll alumni pursuing their softball careers at the Division I and Division III levels: Natalie Wilson, an incoming freshman at Loyola Marymount University, and MC Waddell, a current freshman at Gettysburg College. Although at different points in their softball and academic journeys, each used their experiences at Headfirst Honor Roll Camps to enhance their recruiting process. We asked Natalie and MC to share their unique perspectives on the recruiting process below:
UTL Natalie Wilson – Loyola Marymount University, class of 20241st place – National High School Radio Awards for Best News Interview; National Spanish Honors Society; 5th place – Washington State High School Water Polo Championships
What do you know now about the high-academic recruiting process that you wish you knew when you were going through the recruiting process?
There are bountiful opportunities to be a scholar-athlete in college. If you are committed and dedicated to maximizing your potential in the classroom and on the playing field, then all you need is a little exposure to find the right fit.
What impact did Headfirst Honor Roll Camps have on your recruiting process?
Honor Roll helped me to refocus my aspirations around my education, rather than placing the emphasis on softball. I went from just thinking about playing softball in college, to thinking about what happens after I graduate from college. That changed my perspective completely – I started to think about my career in life and not just the excitement of playing a sport in a college stadium.
How did your recruiting process compare to your high school or travel ball teammates that were not pursuing a high-academic school?
I opened up my mind and set my sights on the best schools I could get into academically, versus some of my teammates that looked at the biggest softball programs. This allowed me to look very carefully at many DIII programs.
What is the best piece(s) of advice that you would give current high school student-athletes looking to play at a high-academic school?
There are plenty of opportunities for every student-athlete. In fact, if you are high-achieving academically, you are creating more opportunities for yourself to play college softball, rather than just trying to get into the big DI programs. Good grades can open doors to a lot of great college experiences and college softball opportunities.
High School Academics: Cum Laude Society; Science National Honors Society; DAR Good Citizen’s Award
High School Athletics: Honorable Mention All-Big-Bend Team; Honorable Mention in Athletics for Leon County’s Best & Brightest Scholarship; Best Female Multi-Sport Athlete; Athletic Director’s Award; Softball team captain
College Career: Fall 2018 Dean’s Honor List; first year on the Gettysburg softball team
What do you know now about the high-academic recruiting process that you wish you knew when you were going through the recruiting process?
I wish I visited more colleges during the recruiting process. My experience on a campus for the first time helped me make my final decision and finding the right fit for me. I also wish I kept more of an open mind about colleges similar to the ones in which I was already interested.
What impact did Headfirst Honor Roll Camps have on your recruiting process?
I learned different ways to find the right fit and enjoy the process of recruiting at Honor Roll. This guided me to find schools that were more of a match academically as well as athletically.
How did your recruiting process compare to your high school or travel ball teammates that were not pursuing a high-academic school?
I found that my teammates looked at more schools that fit their athletic ability more than it fit their academic interests.
What was the biggest shock/hardest adjustment during your freshman year?
The biggest adjustment was the change in schedule. I had fewer classes, but I had to adjust to them being spread throughout the day, including at night. As the year went on, I quickly figured out how to balance my school work and sports.
What is the best piece(s) of advice that you would give current high school student-athletes looking to play at a high-academic school?
When looking at different high-academic schools, make sure they not only match your academic ability, but also your personal interests as well, such as staying close to home or participating in other extracurriculars.
What are you studying in school and what do you plan on pursuing after graduating?
I am currently studying Health Sciences. I plan on pursuing a career in the medical field, and I am especially interested in cancer research.