BLUFFTON, Ohio – Last but not least in our series of senior softball spotlights is Courtney Jasinski, a marketing and business administration major from Englewood, Ohio. Courtney took over in left field as a sophomore at Bluffton and played in 81 games her final three years, starting every one of them.
A number of factors were crucial in Courtney finding her way to Bluffton. Her first two years at Northmont she played alongside none other than Brittany Huff, one of the most decorated players in Bluffton softball and women's soccer history. Courtney's mom, Christi, went to high school with Brittany's mom, Kathy, and Courtney's sister played travel ball with Huff. Jasinski is extremely thankful that, "Coach Rush (Bluffton's head coach in 2016 and 2017) continued to pursue me even after my ACL injury kept me off the field the summer before my senior year." Once Courtney visited Bluffton, "The small school atmosphere as well as the natural beauty of the campus made it clear that Bluffton was where I needed to be."
As with most athletes, combining academics and athletics during the season is often more of a challenge. Long mid-week road trips as well as weekends when there were Saturday and Sunday doubleheaders made staying ahead on coursework even more stressful. Taking advantage of the Learning Resource Center was crucial to staying on top of the academic side, especially during Courtney's freshman year. Her ability to cultivate friendships with other athletes outside of softball proved extremely beneficial as they helped each other when their respective games kept them out of the classroom.
Being able to juggle everything associated with being a student, an athlete and a hall director has fortified Courtney with the requisite tools to transition from college to the 'real world'. Becoming a leader and a role model are qualities that are easily visible to those who have spent any time with Courtney the past few years. Being flexible is another trait that she has become proficient at as the constant changes to game schedules was a daily occurrence throughout the spring.
Her best memories from Bluffton all revolve around team activities. From the annual Florida trips, which continued a tradition that had begun for her as a high school player at Northmont, to the away road games, Courtney thoroughly enjoyed those times when dance parties might break out at any given moment! Even routine meals in Marbeck when the team would sit down together after practice give her pause as she thinks about what she already misses.
Courtney broke down when asked what advice she would like to impart on her friends who will return to play the game she loves next season. "Not to be cliché, but play every game like it's your last," she stressed. "Do not take it for granted, because you don't know when it may come to an end." She would also like to encourage the girls to make sure that their work ethic continues to match their potential.
-BEAVERS-