Getting to Know the Newcomers: Kaitlin Sahlinger
February 9, 2015 | Softball
Leading up to the Feb. 13 season opener at Arizona State's Littlewood Classic, GoTerriers.com will be posting a Q&A session with each of the softball newcomers.
Past Q&As with returning players can be found here.
Other Newcomer Q&As: Callahan | Ericson | Fasehun | Overly | Schanda | Wong
Today's Subject: Kaitlin Sahlinger (Bellevue, Wash.)
1. What is your favorite softball memory?
When I played in the Little League World Series and got to compete against and meet girls from all around the world. I still talk to some of the girls I met from Guam and Italy. Also, I enjoyed competing in the State Tournament my junior and senior years in high school.
2. What is your earliest softball memory?
I always played baseball with my brother and dad growing up but I first played on a team coached by my dad and best friend's dad with all boys. I started playing Little League softball when I was 8 or 9 though.
3. When did you know Boston University was the right school for you?
When I took my official visit. It was my first time in Boston, and I fell in love with the city and the campus. I knew it was the right fit for me because of the coaches, team, exceptional academics and the location.
4. What was it like to put on a BU uniform for the first time during the fall?
It was very exciting. We constantly talk about how fortunate we are to be the only 20 girls in the world to have the privilege of wearing a BU softball uniform, so I felt an enormous sense of pride to be apart of such a special team.
5. Who is your role model and why?
My dad and my brother. My dad introduced me to the game and coached me throughout my youth. He pushes me to get better everyday, even from across the country. I've always looked up to my brother for how driven he is and for his successes in baseball. As a kid, I always wanted to do everything he did, which was usually baseball, so he's one of the main reasons I fell in love with the sport.
6. What sport would you be playing if you weren't playing softball and why?
I would probably be playing either soccer or basketball because I played them both my whole life and throughout high school and enjoyed them a lot.
7. What are your best attributes you feel you bring to the team?
Competitiveness and confidence. I become a different person when I step on the field for a game...nothing else matters in that moment.
8. Which athlete's career would you most like to have and why?
I like Russell Wilson because he is extremely successful and driven despite how much everyone doubted him at the beginning of his career. Go Hawks.
9. What is your dream job?
I don't know what I want to do yet. I'm just hoping to have a job I love that I can be excited to go to everyday.
10. What has been your favorite BU memory so far?
We went on a team trip to Salem, Mass and to the pumpkin patch for Halloween and it was a lot of fun. I got to know all of the girls a little better and the returning players all received their Patriot League Championship rings. It was cool to see their excitement and to be a part of it.
11. What are your personal and team goals for the season?
Our main team goal is to repeat as Patriot League Champions. As a freshman, my goal is to learn and improve as much as I can from my coaches and teammates and to do everything I can to help us reach our team goals.
12. What pregame music do you listen to and why?
I like to mix it up. It'll usually be country, R&B, or rap depending on the mood I'm in.
13. In ONE word, what is the best thing about Boston?
Liveliness.
