WH alumna Sarah Swanson gives her all in two sports at Waldorf College

After a long basketball season, Waldorf College junior Sarah Swanson was about to begin her first softball practice for the 2010 season.

On the first day of practice it is a good idea to show the coaches what you have and the improvements made in the off-season, if there is such a thing.

“I was sliding head first into third base in the gym (Hanson Field House) and I hit my head on the floor,” Swanson said.

With the size of the bump on her left eye, it was a pretty hard hit, not to mention it has taken her out of the lineup for a couple of weeks.

“It was quite the welcome back to softball,” Swanson said with a laugh. “But I've been feeling better and the headache's have gone away.”

This is not the first time Swanson has dealt with an injury and playing numerous sports over the years has its wears and tears on the body.

In high school, Swanson played four sports throughout her years at West Hancock High - softball, basketball, track and volleyball. She ended her prolific athlete as an Eagle after graduation in 2006.

“I injured my knee my junior year in high school,” Swanson said. “And again my sophomore year at Waldorf in basketball and I missed both basketball and softball seasons.”

Swanson said she worked hard in the time she was out of the sports to get back in shape, but it wasn't easy.

“It's just something you have to play through,” Swanson said.

Swanson, a two-sport athlete, is one of many at Waldorf and on the softball team.

“It's definitely hard being a two sport athlete,” Swanson said. “Basketball and softball overlap and it gets to be a lot.”

Swanson also said she has learned to adjust over time in college dealing with two sports and maintaining her classes and work as a college student, but it took awhile.

“Having a 3.9 GPA speaks volumes about Sarah and her dedication,” head coach Kristle Wolcott said.” She's a go getter all the time and she's looking to get after it both on the court and the field.”

Swanson said she likes basketball more than softball because it's more her playing style and more physical, but she said it's nice to play softball because it's more relaxed.

“Sarah plays for the love of the game,” Wolcott said. “She shows compassion for both sports and it shows.”