Softball

Student-Athlete Spotlight: Sara Traxel, UW-Stevens Point

Each week during the 2022-23 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:  Sara Traxel
Institution:  UW-Stevens Point
Hometown (High School):  Oak Creek, Wis. (Oak Creek High School)
Year in school:  Senior
Sport:  Softball
Majors:  Chemical Engineering and Paper Science Engineering
Minor:  Chemistry


Why did you choose UW-Stevens Point?
Stevens Point interested me because of the opportunity to continue my softball career in college, and because of the academic opportunities in the chemical engineering program. On my over-night visit, I really liked the girls on the softball team and felt very welcomed. To this day, some of the girls I met are now my closest friends.
 
What other clubs/organizations on campus are you involved in?
I am the Treasurer of the Society of Women Engineers (SWE) Chapter at UWSP. This club has allowed me to connect with other women in my major and network with professionals in the engineering industry.
 
What causes do you care about?
I truly care about protecting wildlife and the natural environment. I hope that in my engineering profession I will be in a position to promote sustainability and make a positive impact on the environment on a large scale.

What do you like most about competing in the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference and being a NCAA Division III student-athlete?
I love that the WIAC is extremely competitive and everyone inside and out of our conference knows it. Because we are a WIAC team, every team we play is prepared to bring their best when they face us.
 
What is your favorite…
Menu item from Culver’s?  Spicy Chicken Sandwich
Flavor of the Day from Culver’s?  Mint Oreo
Non-Athletic Spot on Campus?  Schmeeckle Reserve…especially in the Fall
Movie?  Sixteen Candles
Holiday?  Thanksgiving
Food?  Ravioli
Musical Group/Artist?  Bryce Vine
Professional Sports Athlete/Team?  Milwaukee Bucks
Vacation Spot?  Balsam Lake, Wis.
 
What is your greatest sports moment? 
In a high school game, I hit two homeruns in the same inning.
 
What is your favorite thing to do off the court/field with your teammates?
Movie nights and card game nights – favorite card game is spoons.
 
One word that describes your team?
Unified.
 
One word that describes you?
Genuine.
 
What is your dream job? 
Research & Development Engineering position in energy, fuel, or environmental science.
 
Three things on your "bucket list"?
---Visit a rain forest.
---Swim with manatees.
---Travel to Australia.
 
A non-athletic talent that you have is?
Drawing and painting.

Do you have any pre-game/pre-event superstitions or rituals? If so, what are they?
Our team stands in a circle and plays the “eye-contact” game in the few minutes before the start of the game.
 
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