As part of a freshman class that includes former Big Ten Player of the Week Emily Allard and Northwestern ERA leader Meghan Lamberth, Kristin Scharkey may be easy to overlook. But after returning from injury in March, the California native started the Wildcats’ final 27 games in the outfield and gave NU another speedy, slap-hitting lefty in the lineup.The Daily spoke with Scharkey to discuss Lil Wayne, allergies and her time at NU.
Excerpts:
The Daily: How will you remember the 2010 season, both for you and your team?Kristin Scharkey: I’m going to remember the 2010 season as a year of growth and fun and memories. It was a year of ups and downs, but we stuck together as a team and that only made us grow as people and as a group.
Daily: If you had to write a scouting report for Kristin Scharkey, what would it say?Scharkey: She’s going to steal on the first pitch.
Daily: What’s it like having Kate Drohan as your coach?Scharkey: Kate is going to push you to be the absolute best you can be. She’s going to push you to be better than you think you can be. She’s going to go to war with you.
Daily: How did it feel being put in the starting lineup and having success right away?Scharkey: It just felt good to be out there again. Being on the sidelines is really tough, and I’m just so grateful for the opportunity to just even be in that lineup. I’ve seen so many games-it’s just really good to be on the field.
Daily: What’s your favorite memory from the softball season?Scharkey: I’m going to go with the bus rides-a lot of good comic relief on the bus rides.
Daily: What’s something people don’t know about you?Scharkey: I’m an outfielder who’s allergic to grass.
Daily: Bottom of the seventh, runner on third, two outs, you’re up to hit. The championship is on the line-what’s going through your head?Scharkey: Let’s do this. Let’s hit the ball. Let’s win this game.
Daily: What is your favorite thing to do away from softball?Scharkey: Probably singing and playing my guitar.
Daily: What’s your favorite band?Scharkey: It’s probably a four-way tie between *NSync, Rascal Flatts, John Mayer and Lil Wayne. I cover all the genres.
Daily: A major motion picture studio is producing your biography. Who plays you?Scharkey: Reese Witherspoon, because I just love her.
Daily: Growing up, who had the biggest influence on you?Scharkey: My dad had the biggest influence on me. He’s always been my coach off the field, and he’s done so much for our family.
Daily: What is your favorite sport other than softball?Scharkey: Basketball. Go Lakers!
Daily: What’s your dream job in journalism and why?Scharkey: My dream job would be to work for ESPN and tell other athletes’ stories and be behind the scenes in that industry.
Daily: Would that be something on TV or in print or what?Scharkey: Probably in print. As you can see, I’m not that good in front of a camera. Yeah, I’m a print girl.
