A simple act of human kindness--and the subsequent reporting thereof by media organizations near and far, big and small--is all it took for Mallory Holtman to become a household name.
The White Salmon native now has her own entry in the online encyclopedia Wikipedia ("Mallory Holtman is an American college softball player..."), and soon may have an ESPY Award from ESPN to go along with all the other honors and prizes she accumulated during a record-breaking fastpitch softball career at Central Washington University in Ellensburg.
And what a career it was. In four full seasons, Holtman established a multitude of CWU fastpitch records, finishing as the Wildcats' all-time leader in games played, hits, home runs, runs scored and runs batted in.
Holtman's coach at CWU, Gary Frederick, said the Central program has been "truly blessed to have her as a Wildcat."
Noted Frederick: "It has been a pleasure to coach an athlete the caliber of Mallory. Mallory practiced as hard as she played in the games. She is classy on and off the field."
It seems like you've been playing softball forever, from Little League, to ASA, to high school, to college. Where did your love of the game come from?
My Dad, my family and my coaches were always supportive of me and never put pressure on me.
It has always brought a lot of joy to me; sports have been a way of making me happy. Sports have always been an outlet for me to clear my head and only have them to concentrate on.
What's next for you now that your collegiate fastpitch career is just about over?
I received a [two-year] graduate assistantship at Central. I am going to graduate school getting my master's in athletic administration and I will be coaching softball at Central.
You could have played just about anywhere collegiately. Why did you choose Central Washington over what other schools had to offer?
At the time I signed my grandmother wasn't doing so well and I wanted to be close enough for my grandparents and family to be able to watch me play. After meeting Gary Frederick, my coach, I knew Central was the right place for me.
What are your strongest memories of the five seasons you've spent in the CWU fastpitch program?
All my strongest memories are of road trips, hanging out with my teammates and achieving many of the goals I set for myself.
In your wildest imagination, did you ever think you'd have the kind of record-setting career you've had at Central?
I had big dreams and hopes, I always felt it was possible; I just didn't know I'd accomplish my goals.
Why do you think you've had such an outstanding career?
Hard work and I never have lost perspective that it is just a game. I have had fun every year I have played.
How much of a challenge has it been for you to balance academics with athletics?
I have never known anything different, so it has not been much of a challenge.
Did you ever think you'd go to college and not play some varsity sport?
No.
What advice would you give to a player coming out of high school who has aspirations of playing a sport at the collegiate level?
To work hard, to want to play for the pure enjoyment of playing and to believe in yourself. You're not going to remember each game but you will always have the memories, experiences and friendships that playing college ball gives you.
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