Editor’s note: This article was initially published in The Daily Gazette, Swarthmore’s online, daily newspaper founded in Fall 1996. As of Fall 2018, the DG has merged with The Phoenix. See the about page to read more about the DG.
Christine Sendelsky, 09, was named the Centennial Conference Hitter of the Week last week for softball. She is very passionate about the sport and she has high hopes for the team this season, as well as love for her teammates and coaches. The Gazette sat down with her to talk about how she feels about the award, softball, Swat, and more.
Daily Gazette: How does it feel?
Christine Sendelsky: Really awesome! It was really nice to be recognized for all the hard work. I was actually really surprised because when I was playing it’s not like I realized that I was like, 5 for 7 in that day or how many hits I got. You’re just so into the game that you try to do well on every pitch not just worrying about your statistics.
DG: How long have you been laying softball? What got you into it?
CS: Since I was ten. My dad was my coach and we worked all through the rec program. My dad was really into sports, he actually played baseball for Miami, so it’s always been engrained in me. When he got older he played in Men’s Slow Pitch and I’d always go watch his games. I used to do karate when I was younger and when I got my black belt I didn’t really want to do it anymore. When my mom suggested I do something else I said, “softball sounds good!” So I just got really into it.
DG: How have you been enjoying your time here at Swat?
CS: Actually, my whole experience has been made so much better since softball season started because there’s a lot more people to rely on and I just feel really close to my team. I think that’s part of the reason why we’ve been doing so well. It’s really enjoyable for me.
DG: What was your favorite thing about Swat before softball?
CS: I think getting to know a lot of people that I otherwise wouldn’t have gotten to know. I liked having the opportunity to meet so many different people. My town at home was pretty diverse but I just feel like I’ve gotten to know people on an entirely different level. I’ve had some really good conversations with people.
DG: The softball team went on a trip during spring break, right? How was that?
CS: Yeah, we went to Savannah, GA. It was really really fun! I know some other teams that went away only played like one or two games but we played double headers almost every day we were there. It was like, wake up, go to bed, and practice… play softball, play more softball. It was really fun. It was definitely a bonding experience
DG: Did you know a lot of the people on the team before the season started?
CS: In the fall there was a “fall season”. It wasn’t much of a season because we only played on one day. We had a couple weeks of practice. I also specked here last year with a girl on the team. I guess I did no some of the girls.
DG: What position do you play?
CS: Primarily on this team I play second base, sometimes short stop. Wherever coach puts me, I guess.
DG: Are there any other sports you like to play?
CS: Not competitively, but I love all sports. I just love athletics in general. I’ve been to all the sports games this semester. I know a lot of lacrosse boys and girls, and baseball.
DG: How about classes? What are you interested in?
CS: Right now I’m taking a lot of humanities classes. I’m not really sure what I want to major in but I’m trying to, in the first year at least, find what I’m passionate about so that when I have to declare my major it’ll be something that I really really want to do.
DG: What’s something about you that not many people know?
CS: Well, I’m a black belt in karate. A lot of people are like, “oh my god are you serious? You did that?” Another thing is that the first day I went out to practice softball in my entire life my dad hit me my first ground ball and it hit me in the face… I got a black eye. My dad was afraid I’d never want to play again but here I am today. Actually, a couple summers ago I got hit in the eye again and this fall, one of our assistant coaches was hitting us ground balls and a ball hit me in the face again! So I’m prone to accidents but I still stick in there.
DG: Thanks so much! Is there anything else you want to say to everyone?
CS: I think that our softball program has come a really far way and we owe a lot of credit to our coaching staff especially because they work really hard. One of our assistant coahes is only two years out of college but she has brought so much life to our team. I’ve heard a lot about how our softball team in the past years hasn’t been that successful and it’s really exciting now. I hope people come out and watch. It’s going to be really exciting!