NORMAL, Ill. – Bird Bits give Redbird Softball fans an opportunity to get an inside look at a handful of returners that will step back on the field in an Illinois State uniform in 2019.
The second installment of this five-week series takes a look inside the life of Alyssa Wiebel, who will be a junior during the 2018-19 school year and serve as a team captain. After starting all 57 games in the third base position her freshman season with the Redbirds, Wiebel transitioned from the infield to a starting role in centerfield by the end of her sophomore year. This past season, she earned her first recognition from the Missouri Valley Conference – a spot on the second-team all-conference – as well as securing a MVC Scholar-Athlete Team Honorable Mention. Wiebel logged seven multi-hit and five multi-RBI games in 2018, including a game-winning double against Indiana State on March 31 to give Illinois State its first series win of Valley competition.
Name: Alyssa Wiebel
Hometown: Van Horne, Iowa
High School: Benton Community
Major: General Biology
Q&A:
Q1: Why did you decide to attend Illinois State?
A: I chose ISU because of the home-like feeling of the campus and atmosphere of Normal. I wanted to play softball at a high level, and also earn a good degree, and I felt that ISU was the perfect fit.
Q2: What has your time at ISU been like so far?
A: It has been a once in a lifetime opportunity. Very few people get to play the sport they love at the Division I level, and the great friends and experiences I have made in my time at ISU, have made that opportunity even better.
Q3: What has been your favorite part about being a Redbird?
A: I love being a Redbird because it truly is a group of amazing people. Everyone at ISU, or who have come from ISU, are the kind of people who you want to surround yourself with. They remind of my people back home in Benton County.
Q4: Has anyone on the team, current or past Redbird, taken you under their wing since you've been here? If so, who, and how have they helped you?
A: Riley Strandgard helped me immensely my freshman year. I was trying to learn the ISU way of playing 3rd base and shortstop, both of which she had played. She had a high level of patience, care and helpfulness the whole time. Even into my sophomore year, she always had the right answers to my many questions.
Q5: What was your biggest adjustment when you got to ISU? How did you get through it?
A: My biggest adjustment was learning how to trust myself. I was in some difficult classes and situations right away, and at first I was unsure of how to handle things. Being able to be confident in my abilities, whether on or off the field, was extremely important for me to learn to be able to make decisions and not concern myself with how other people did things.
Q6: Are there any classes you have taken so far that you really like?
A: I really liked my anatomy and physiology class. It was so interesting, and was finally a class that pertained to what my future job will be. I am excited to take the second part of that class this fall.
Q7: What made you choose your major and what is it?
A: My major is general biology, so that I can go on to physician's assistant school after I graduate from ISU. I chose this pathway because I have a big heart and want to help people, as well as my need to do an exciting job and have something different every day.
Q8: When you aren't practicing, going to class and studying, what do you like to do?
A: I like to watch Friends and The Office over and over again on Netflix, or go get coffee from Starbucks or Dunkin' Donuts.
Q9: Do you have a motto you live your life by? If so, what is it?
A: I don't really have a motto, but I feel like my motto has changed through the past couple years on how to live my life. At first, I think it was more of a stress on doing everything right, making sure I never messed up and making sure I pleased everyone. Now, of course I still want to do everything right, but that's impossible. Knowing I'm not perfect and can't please everyone has given me the ability to live more stress-free. I have discovered the people and things that really truly matter, and that is what I focus on. While the focus is on those people and things, I also just need to do what truly makes me happy. That is most important, although it sounds selfish. If I can do whatever to make myself happy and enjoy life, that will give me the ability to do the same to others.
Fill in the Blank:
- I committed to ISU over other schools because:Â I felt this would be the best place where I could grow on the field and as a person
- When I think of Redbird softball, I think of:Â grit
- My favorite part about being a Redbird student-athlete is:Â being surrounded by people just like me
- When I think of the Redbird softball fan base, I think of: dedication
- When I committed to the ISU softball program, I felt: joyful and determined
- I love softball because: I have met, and continue to meet, so many important and amazing people that will always have their place in my life
- My favorite moment as a Redbird is: winning the 2017 conference championship
- My favorite stadium we played at in 2018 was: LSU's Tiger Park
- An area of my game I want to improve in is: my offensive production
Bird Bits:
- Favorite athlete: Tom Brady
- Favorite professional sports team: New England Patriots
- Favorite junk food: Plain chips with French onion dip or a slice of cheesecake
- Favorite concert you've been to: Florida Georgia Line
- Favorite TV show: Friends
- My favorite place on campus: Starbucks at the student recreation center
- The farthest place I have traveled from home: Hawaii
- If I could take a vacation anywhere in the world, I would travel to: Australia
- Favorite book I have read: Milk and Honey
- My nickname on the team is: Wiebs
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