SECTIONS - NRHEG Senior Sophie Stork is pictured above delivering a pitch during the Panthers 7-1 win over Maple River during the Section 2AA section playoffs. Star Eagle photo by Chris Schlaak
By ELI LUTGENS
Publisher/Editor
When you win, you win, when you lose, you learn. This is senior Sophie Stork's motto. Stork has been playing volleyball, basketball, and softball for NRHEG her entire life.
In her words, she grew up in a sports loving home, surrounded by incredible friends, many of whom she now shares a field with. Stork recently led the NRHEG Softball team, as the starting pitcher, to their best finish in school history. She has earned a host of awards along the way, including: Owatonna People's Press Player of the Year, Waseca County News Player of the year, Gopher Conference Player of the year, Section 2AA All Tournament Team and Class 2AA All State Team, Most Valuable Player, and was named team captain.
Stork’s sports career began on the T-Ball field at the age of four. When she was eight years old, she began playing competitive sports. Ever since, she has excelled in softball, volleyball, basketball, and for a brief time, football.
“In elementary school, when we really didn’t have a volleyball program, Sophie played youth football,” Dan Stork, her father, shared. “Watching her grow, it’s been so much fun to watch her hard work payoff.”
According to Sophie Stork, her friends, teammates, and family have motivated her. “The idea of working together with a big group of friends was intriguing to me for as long as I could remember. From the first day I ever played softball, I loved it. The same is true for volleyball and basketball.”
During her time playing sports, Sophie says athletics have taught her a lot. “It taught me cooperation, leadership, discipline, and accountability. I learned you must maintain a positive attitude even when things don’t go your way.”
When things don't go her way, when the moment seems too big, Stork says her teammates keep her in check. “When it comes to the nerves, my teammates calm me down at every single game. Whether we are winning by 10 or down by 10, they give me the courage to stay calm and just do what I do. They trust me and I trust them. Our family is very strong and so I always give it my all to put them in our best position to win.”
Stork shared that she loves the sports atmosphere, the competition, and doing all of it with her friends and teammates. “To be honest, there isn’t one thing that I do not like. I can give all the credit to Coach Wendy Schultz for that, she makes every softball practice, every game super fun and meaningful. Even if we are running sprints, she always finds a way to make it fun. We know we’re doing it for the end goal of wanting to win.”
Wendy Schultz has coached Sophie since 7th grade and has been the head softball coach at NRHEG for 23 years. Schultz says that Stork is a special player, who exhibits mental toughness, drive, work ethic, and is an excellent teammate.
“All of the accolades that Sophie has earned show exactly what kind of a special player she is,” Coach Schultz explained. “There are many great athletes in our area and to think that she earned Player of the Year in two newspapers as well as POY in the Gopher Conference is super impressive. The most impressive is being voted on by fellow coaches to be a member of the Class AA State Team.”
It’s clear that Stork may very well have a chance to continue her athletic career beyond high school. “Sophie has the skills and drive to have a very successful senior year in all of the sports that she participates in,” Coach Schultz went on. “If she chooses to continue her softball career in college, I know she has the drive to be successful at that, too.”
Panther Pride is important to NRHEG, its athletes, students and the community. Sophie says playing for hometown, representing them, is a privilege. “Every time I put on our red and black uniform, I know that I am not playing for myself. Instead it’s for the girls next to me and for the community. We want to make everyone proud. We feel honored to be able to represent them.”
What Sophie has learned from athletics, her family, and the community around her is reflected in her work ethic, on and off the field. Sophie participates in a number of school activities and other volunteer work, including: President in Future Farmers of America program, a National Honor Society member, volunteering in the Feed My Starving Children Program, working the local school Blood Drive, helping with Tornado cleanup, sand bagging during local New Richland flooding, as well as participating in All Saints Catholic Church in New Richland.
During her career, Stork said she has had many great memories. “These memories will last a lifetime and it’s important to embrace these moments, because after high school, we won’t have this opportunity together again.”
Stork is looking forward to making more memories with her teammates during her senior season, one more time.