Senior Elani Alverez may be a multi-sport athlete, having participated in volleyball, wrestling and softball in her time here at Merrillville High School. However, she had to make a choice that seemed very clear to her. Softball has shaped the person that Elani is today. It has taught her dedication, motivation, and it has taught her to work hard and put her all into everything that she does.
Elani has committed to Indiana’s Institute of Technology, Indiana Tech, to continue softball and further her education. She leads the softball team with 18 stolen bases, and 12 home runs within the first few weeks of the season.
Elani has been at this for a long time.
“I’ve been playing softball since I was eight years old, and I just knew saying goodbye to softball would be harder than saying goodbye to wrestling. I did have the option to do both, but I just knew softball is what I wanted to pursue,” she said.
Elani’s involvement has created an active impact on her mindset.
“Her wrestling background makes her work ethic and dedication physically and mentally stronger. She always strives to be better, even in challenging situations,” softball coach Adam Fricke said.
Although she is leaving wrestling behind, her coach, David Maldonado, continues to encourage her.
“I’m glad that she’s going to college. I think the most important thing as a coach is to prepare your kids for college or whatever career they are going to get into after high school, whether she wrestled or whether she played softball, it really doesn’t matter to me,” Coach Maldonado said.
“I just know I’m proud that she’s going to college and she’s going to be an athlete, because I think she’s a really good student athlete. I think it’d be nice to see her compete and wrestle in college, but as long as she’s doing what she enjoys and loves to do, I’m okay with it… I just wish her the best.”
Softball coach Amber Welsh believes that Elani works hard in all that she does.
“No matter the sport, Elani is driven to improve—always putting in extra reps and setting the standard through her actions”, she said.
She is also a continuously supportive teammate.
“Elani is a hard worker and her positive attitude brings the team together. She is a team player and always tries to boost team morale. If she sees someone struggling, she’s always there to help,” Coach Fricke said.
She strongly believes in the success of not only herself, but the people around her.
“I hope to just be successful in college. I hope to eventually become a starter, to just do well with my team, really be a team player for this team, and just help everyone around me succeed. I hope I do well in school and continue to be a successful student and get my degree, and you know, have fun,” she said.
Elani has proven to be successful in softball outside of school as well.
“I travel, and we go to local tournaments, and we’ve won many tournaments already. Nationally, we went to the world series and we were in the final four, so that was pretty cool,” she said. “We still haven’t won one, so hopefully this summer, as it’s our last summer together, we can go out with a bang and win that one.”
Coach Fricke hopes for the best that Elani’s energy stays with her throughout college.
“I hope Elani continues to be a student-athlete and uses her dedication and work ethic to strive in the classroom and on the field,” he said.
Coach Welsh also wishes the best for her.
“As Elani heads to college, I hope she continues to find joy in the game while also thriving academically” she said.
