October 23, 2010

JUELFS: Playing college softball is busy but great!

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Last week's blog | Jamie Juelfs bio

Editor's note: Softball senior Jamie Juelfs writes weekly blog updates for UNCBears.com throughout the softball season. She'll bring fans up to date on what exactly is going on behind the scenes with Northern Colorado softball.

Individual workouts have arrived for Northern Colorado softball, and me my teammates thought that that would mean things would calm down with our schedules.

It seems, though, as if everything has gone the other direction! I know I've been running around like crazy lately trying to get things done. Mid-term exams were last week and this week, and I have definitely learned that just because you're a senior doesn’t mean that school gets any easier!

I feel like I am doing more homework now then I have throughout my whole college career! To show you just what I am talking about I am going to lay out a day in my life, just to give you a feel for it.

Let’s take this past Wednesday for an example:

7 - 8 a.m. -- Speed and agility in the gym

9:05 - 9:55 a.m. -- Human Services class

10:30 - 11:30 a.m. -- Meet in the library with group for project

12:20 - 1:10 p.m. -- Organization Communication Class

1:25 - 2:15 p.m. -- Recreation Programming Class

3 - 3:30 p.m. -- Infield Practice

3:40 - 4:40 p.m. -- Pitch on my own

5 - 5:30 p.m. -- Dinner

5:45 - 6:45 p.m. -- Weights

7 p.m.  -- Dinner, then homework

This is an example of a typical Wednesday and I know that some people on my team have it worse off than I do! I am not writing this to complain about how hard our lives are, but I think that it is important for people to see what really goes on behind the scenes. When everyone told me that I have no idea what I was getting myself into when I went to college to play a sport, I thought they were just kidding. But, really, they were dead on.

We are busy every single minute of everyday, but there is not a day that goes by that I am not thankful for the opportunity that I have been given.

Now it is time to introduce our junior class which includes Alex Neely, Erin Wilkinson and Erin Geddis .

First up is Alex Neely from Windsor, Colo., She attended Windsor High School and made a tremendous impact there. Alex is currently rehabbing a torn ACL from last season but is recovering quickly and is expected to be back for the spring season. Alex has provided a powerful bat in our lineup in her time in Greeley, as she was one of the leaders of the team in home runs last season. It will be great to have Alex back on the field with us soon! When I asked Alex what her favorite softball memory was she told me it was winning the state championship in high school and then later hitting a walk-off home run in college against Idaho State.

Alex is most looking forward to traveling and getting closer with all girls and being able to play again!

Alex Neely

Favorite food: Chicken with wine, over rice

Favorite Movie: "Remember the Titans"

Favorite Color: Lime green

Family: Jerry, Deb and Curtis Neely

Next up is Erin Geddis, or "Geddis," as the team calls her. Geddis grew up in Mead, Colo, and attended Skyline High School. Geddis is the fastest girl on our team, and that helps us immensely in the field. Having her in center field makes all the pitchers a little more at ease because off all the ground that she can cover!
Geddis’ favorite softball memory was when she was in Steamboat, Colo., and she was standing on first and she ended up scoring on a passed ball to win the game and the championship. She said it was such and adrenaline rush!
When I asked Geddis what she was most excited for this year she told me, “I am so excited to start the season, in general, but if I had to pick something it would be to see the outcome of everything that we have learned this past fall. All of us have such a hunger to learn and win and do something so amazing for this program: conference champions. And I want to go out and make a name for us. Make teams know who we are and be the team that everyone wants to beat.”

Erin Geddis:

Favorite Food: Italian Food

Favorite Movie: "Hard Ball"

Favorite Color: Hot Pink

Family:  Denise and George Geddis and brothers Ian and Justin

Erin Wilkinson is the last junior on the squad, and she, like Alex, is also from Windsor, Colo. She attended Windsor High School with Alex Neely and is our big bat in the lineup.

Erin is also the heart and soul of our team being our starting catcher. She has grown so much since her freshmen year and she is continuing to grow into an amazing ball player. When Erin is not teaching someone how to do the "Dougie" dance she is tearing it up on the softball field. When I asked Erin what her favorite softball memory was she told me that it was when we were playing at Arizona Staet and she hit her first college home run. Erin is looking forward to starting our conference season and being with the team and showing everyone the new Northern Colorado team!

Erin Wilkinson

Favorite Food: Chicken Parmesan

Favorite Movie: "Remember the Titans"

Favorite Color: Lime Green

Family: Eric and Janice Wilkinson and brother Scott and sister Megan