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Thursday, May 1, 2008
Pure Royalty
Central Indiana, IN
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Photo(s) By: Brian Spurlock
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Brett Williams is simply a staple in Hamilton Southeastern athletics. The three-sport star is now in her final season before graduation, trying to duplicate last season’s magical journey on the softball diamond. HSSTM’s Dave McConnell sat down with Williams to discuss that 2007 softball run, her leadership role behind the plate and what it takes to excel as a student-athlete.
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I think being a true three-sport athlete basically means that you have to sacrifice your time and yourself for the good of the athletic programs and the school.
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McConnell: I talked to a few good sources about you – nothing bad, I promise – and the people around here say that you’re the true definition of a three-sport athlete (between volleyball, basketball and softball). How do you define what a three-sport athlete is, in your mind?
Williams: I think being a true three-sport athlete basically means that you have to sacrifice your time and yourself for the good of the athletic programs and the school. It takes a ton of time, but I don’t mind always being busy because I would rather do that than go home and do nothing. If you’re willing to dedicate the time and effort to each sport equally, then it’s definitely worth it.
McConnell: You play for the Magic Gold travel softball squad, the premier team in the state. No doubt there’s been a huge explosion with the offseason travel scene, so how has that influenced your high school career as an athlete?
Williams: It makes it really hard, especially being a multi-sport athlete, just to keep up with everything. I stopped doing AAU basketball going into high school and played club volleyball through my sophomore year. There’s many times where people are doing a sport for four more months than you are, sometimes even more than that. I think it’s making teams better and it’s making players better, but I don’t think it’s necessarily making them better athletes because they’re only doing one thing.
McConnell: Let’s talk a bit about last season on the softball diamond, which was obviously quite a memorable one capping of an undefeated (31-0) season with the 4A title. Coming back for your senior year this spring, how is the feeling different after that? What did you learn from that experience that you wouldn’t have known otherwise?
Williams: It’s a little bit more pressure in a way, to perform up to that potential again. The goal is exactly the same as last year, no matter if the (team’s) personnel is a little different. Mostly, I learned that it’s a long journey. It’s definitely not a sprint, it’s a marathon to the finish and you have to just take small steps and not freak out at all the little things that might happen.
McConnell: Not many teams in any sport are able to go undefeated, for obvious reasons. Looking back on it, what was that process like to get to that point and how does it affect this season?
Williams: Last year it came to a point that we knew we hadn’t lost a game, but I don’t think we were necessarily expecting to be undefeated and it just fell in place that way. This year, to a certain point, as long as we improve somehow every single game no matter the wins and losses, I don’t think our record in the end is really going to be what matters.
McConnell: I have to ask, scoring the game-winning run in the 10th inning of the state title game last year, what’s going through your head as you’re barreling down the third base line headed to home plate?
Williams: I cannot tell you exactly what I was thinking at that moment, but afterwards what I thought about was how I was so glad I didn’t trip when I was running (laughs). Really though, it was the best feeling I’ve ever had in sports. I think that’s the point when you know that everything you’ve done previously to that was worth it.
McConnell: You’ve been the starting catcher since Day 1 your freshman year, and the one constant those first three years was that you were battery mates with 2007 Miss Softball Morgan Melloh, who is now graduated. As a catcher and vocal leader, what is your biggest adjustment not having Melloh on this team?
Williams: I’ll have to communicate twice as much as I have with the pitchers this year and just make sure that everyone knows that we can still do it without her. Our pitchers (this year) are not Morgan and they’re not going to be Morgan and our team doesn’t expect that, but we expect them to do their job to the best of their ability. It’s my job to help control their nerves and help them in game situations so that they can do that.
McConnell: Early this season, what have you done with the pitchers (sophomore Taylor Rager and freshman Ali Conger) to help that transition?
Williams: I just talk to them and calm them down a lot. I’ll go out there (to the pitching circle) and throw out a couple jokes and make them laugh. As long as they’re relaxed then they’ll be more prepared for every situation.
McConnell: So you’re pretty easy going and like to joke around a little bit?
Williams: (Laughs) Yeah, I really am.
McConnell: Has that helped you in a general sense, just getting through high school with the demands of being a three-sport student-athlete?
Williams: I think so, yes. I try not to take it too seriously because in the end, it should be about fun. I enjoy playing softball a lot and I think that reflects in my attitude when I’m playing the game.
McConnell: Speaking of your attitude, I had the chance to talk to your coach (Dave Cook) and he described you as wanting to be the best at everything you do (among many other positive traits). I know he doesn’t treat that as arrogance, but what do you think he means by that?
Williams: I think he’s talking about from an effort standpoint. Normally, I’m one of those people that gives all I can every single day. Even though basketball and volleyball might not be my best sports, I’m still going to hard all the time and give all I can. By doing that, I’m trying to be the best that I can at everything.
QUICK HITS WITH BRETT WILLIAMS
What’s your favorite sport out of the three?
Softball. It’s the one sport that I’ve had the most fun with no matter what.
As a catcher, toughest pitch to receive?
Probably the riseball because you never really know the degree that it’s going to jump up.
Favorite diamond to play on, other than HSE?
Noblesville. I don’t really know why, I just love the feeling when I go there.
Best fans to play in front of, in any sport, other than HSE?
Noblesville basketball fans, definitely. They’re a trip.
Any rituals you have?
I’m not superstitious by any means, but I always put my hair in a ponytail, braid the ponytail and put a ribbon around it.
If you weren’t playing softball in the spring, what would you be doing?
I’d probably get a job since I’ve never had one of those (laughs).
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