A co-captain and a two-time Academic All-Conference, Summer Wilke ’15 has started in every game she played in her softball career. She will look to lead the softball team to a winning season.

When did you start playing softball? 

I started playing baseball when I was seven and played for two years, and started playing softball when I was nine. I always just played with the local teams and then for school once I got to the age.

Is there a good team dynamic this year? 

Yes! I would say that of the three years that I’ve been on the team, this year has the best team dynamic. The energy on the team is great, everybody’s enthusiastic, everybody is driven towards the same goal and everybody works really hard. Our practices are spot on. Everything is looking great this year. We’re really sharp.

What position do you play? 

I’m a left fielder. Actually, I’d probably be categorized as a utility player. I can also catch and pitch. At my time in Grinnell, I’ve played pitcher, catcher and left field.

Do you have a favorite position that you’ve played? 

I always have loved the outfield. There’s nothing like chasing down a fly ball; it’s the best feeling in the world.

What is your favorite part of playing softball? 

My teammates. My teammates are the greatest people on the planet.

Are you involved in any other activities on campus? 

Yes. I’m a member of SAAC, the Student Athletic Advisory Committee, and the community service committee within SAAC. I’m spearheading the Special Olympics event on campus right now—the Unified Sports Day specifically. I am also a member of Pioneer Diversity Council.

Did you have a hard time adjusting to the town of Grinnell? 

Grinnell is actually big for me. My town [has] 866 people—we didn’t even have a grocery store, so there are lots of resources here for me! Grinnell’s wonderful. I felt really comfortable here. If anything, it might be easier living here than back home. There’s just so many more ideas and it’s so exciting.

Do you have any advice for future college softball players? 

I would say it’s worth the commitment. You can meet some of your best friends through college sports. It’s a really wonderful thing, walking onto campus with a support system already in place.

What do you like to do in your free time outside of softball? 

I like to watch movies. I’m interested in language. I speak Spanish, some German and some Hungarian. My friend Connie [Lee ’15] and I like to play video games. I’m pretty bad at them, but I like to play them. I also like to play racquetball with Anne. Anne is an alum that lives in town. We usually play once or twice a week, and she always beats me. She was a biology student here, and took a racquetball class when she was a student here and she’s been playing for 20 years. She took the racquetball class again and she plays racquetball with us now.