...it felt like OWU had a lot of the things I was looking for in a college.
Name: Alyssa Back
Class Year: 2024
Majors: Zoology and psychology
Why did you choose Ohio Wesleyan?
After visiting campus it felt like OWU had a lot of the things I was looking for in a college. Only an hour drive from home, beautiful campus with available activities in downtown Delaware, close location to the Columbus Zoo for my major, and a softball team I felt like I fit in on.
Why did you choose your majors?
I have always had a love for animals and knew I wanted to pursue a career working with them and their behavior. With my major at OWU, I am able to care for, study, and be involved with many types of animals and will have more resources and access in the future as I advance through college.
Do you have any pre-event rituals or superstitions?
Before I get ready to field a ball at third base, I jump onto the bag every time. This allows me to feel something familiar, knowing I've done this jump so many times and reminding myself that I know what I am doing, also allowing me to feel light on my feet and ready for whatever is hit my way. Before the game itself, I make sure my hair is braided in some sort of way because it makes me feel put together and game-ready.
Why did you choose your position?
Being at third makes me feel comforted knowing that I only have to depend on my reaction time and skills, any tendencies I have to overthink are not involved at third base because I don't have time to think with how fast/hard the ball is hit.
Why do you like your event/position?
I like my sport because it comes with a lot of different aspects which never allow me to get bored of doing one thing constantly, such as batting offensively, fielding defensively (and all the position options), and base running. And if I am having an off day in one aspect, I can still have a good day in another. There is also a lot of diversity in softball, you can be big or small, weak or strong, fast or slow, and still find a necessary spot on the team.
Is there a specific coach or teammate who has helped you get where you are?
Yes, my travel ball assistant and hitting coach. He coached in a way that was encouraging and supportive. He made me feel motivated to be the best I can and never give up even if you're having a rough day. He always made sure to pull me aside and tell me what I was doing wrong and how I could fix it in a comforting way that helped me understand. Without his help I would not be as efficient of a hitter as I am today and I would not know which coaching style I am most receptive to.
What is your favorite place to eat in Delaware, and what is your go-to dish there?
My favorite dish in Delaware is the veggie burger at Flying Pig Ale House.
If you could visit another time, when would it be and why?
If I could visit another time, I would pick to visit the Paleolithic period. This is because this is the furthest you are able to get from today's civilization and I would be very interested to see how extremely different things are in a world that doesn’t have houses, showers, electronics, or even constant food sources and communication skills. Imagining this really allows me to put things in our lives into perspective and think about how different our lives could be without things we take for granted, such as being able to effectively communicate with each other like we do now.
by Michaela Alfano '25
