Softball

Student-Athlete Spotlight: Rachel Plautz, UW-Platteville

Each week during the 2021-22 academic year, the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) will feature two student-athletes (one male and one female) from one of its eight institutions for a “Student-Athlete Spotlight” Q & A segment. The segments will be posted every Thursday and individuals are selected by the institution. The WIAC Student-Athlete Spotlights are presented by Culver's.


Name:  Rachel Plautz
Institution:  UW-Platteville
Hometown (High School):  Wausau, Wis. (D.C. Everest High School)
Year in school:  Senior
Sport:  Softball
Major:  Mechanical Engineering


Why did you choose UW-Platteville?
I knew it was a great engineering school. I liked the size and location. I also really liked the softball program and the culture. It felt like home.

What other clubs/organizations on campus are you involved in?
Women in Stem Mentor Program
Pioneer Student-Athlete Advisory Committee
ASA Mechanical Engineer Grader and Lab Assistant
Pi Tau Sigma Engineering Honor Society
 
What causes do you care about?
I care about supporting other women and encouraging them to pursue the sciences or engineering. Not only encourage them to enter the field but help them succeed at it and give them the confidence that they can excel. Giving young women the confidence and the tools to be successful in a male dominated major or profession is what I care about. I also care about supporting other women in athletics to ensure they also feel like they are just important as the male athletes on campus here as well. We all belong and can be successful.

What do you like most about competing in the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference and being a NCAA Division III student-athlete?
The competitiveness of the conference is what I like most. Every game is close and often unexpected.
 
What is your favorite…
Menu item from Culver’s?  Chicken Tenders with Ranch
Flavor of the Day from Culver’s?  Turtle Cheesecake
Non-Athletic Spot on Campus?  3rd Floor Karmann Library
Movie?  The Proposal
TV Show?  Bridgerton
Food?  Ice Cream
Musical Group/Artist?  Morgan Wallen
Professional Sports Athlete?  Christian Yelich
Hobby?  Camping
Quote/motto?  
“I can do all things through Christ who strengths me.” – Philippians 4:13
 
What is your greatest sports moment? 
Last year, our 2021 season, we went into extra innings against UW-Eau Claire in the WIAC Tournament to make it to the WIAC semifinals. The game lasted 11 innings. Everyone was so into the game! It was a team effort all around. We won 6-5.

What is the best thing that you bring to the team?
You would have to ask my team that, but I hope I bring positivity and cheerfulness to every practice and gameday! I try to be a vocal leader, but I also try to lead by example by working extra hard.
 
Do you have any words of advice for younger/upcoming student-athletes?
My words of advice would be to just have fun because playing collegiate softball is a huge commitment. Your four years may also be cut short due to injury or events like COVID unexpectedly, so you just never know when it may be your last practice or game so live in the moment and enjoy yourself. It does not always have to be so serious.
 
What is your favorite thing to do off the court/field with your teammates?
We enjoy going out for dinner or ice-cream.
 
If you could trade places for a day with a person, who would it be and why?
I know this isn’t technically a person but trading places with a dog FOR A DAY might be fun. I feel like dogs have such a relaxing life with no responsibility. Eating and sleeping all day is good with me!
 
What is your dream job? 
My dream job would probably be a CEO of my own multimillion-dollar company. The number of lives you could impact would be so rewarding.
 
Three things on your "bucket list"?
---Go on a hot air balloon ride.
---Go zip lining.
---Go to a Morgan Wallen Concert.

Do you have any pre-game/pre-event superstitions or rituals? If so, what are they?
I am not very superstitious to be honest. Laughing and enjoying the company of my teammates in our pregame huddles however is a must.
 
What is your biggest “pet-peeve”?
One of my biggest pet-peeves is someone tapping their pencil or foot during class, especially during exams.
 
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