Oswego East Student Athlete of the Week-Emily Green

The Wolves varsity softball team came into the year riding the most success in school history. Last season marked the first ever regional championship in school history, and a number of players who contributed to last season’s success have returned this year. Needless to say, expectations for this season have never been higher, which can sometimes lead to new issues within the team chemistry. Fortunately for the Wolves, they return not only talent, but leadership in two year captain and senior Emily Green, who is this week’s Oswego East student athlete of the week.

When choosing a captain, young people are sometimes unsure of the qualities to look for in that person. At times it can turn into a popularity contest, or players choose the teammate who may be the most talented, but is not necessarily a leader. The girls on the Wolves softball team hit the nail on the head by choosing Emily, who displays all the characteristics one looks for in a leader.

Emily’s passion for softball began in the 2nd grade, and is something she will have the privilege of continuing in college. Her mother, Sue Green, has seen how Emily’s maturation has helped put her in position to do so. “As a senior student and softball player, I have seen [Emily’s] confidence soar and she has learned to see the world from a wider angle,” says Sue. She goes on to add, “I am so happy for her that her future will include the opportunity to continue the sport that she has loved since she was little.”

What makes Emily so important to her team, and so successful in both sports and life, is her willingness to commit herself wholeheartedly to bettering not only herself, but also those around her. Assistant varsity coach, Sarah Davies, who also was Emily’s head freshman coach, understands just how important Emily’s unselfishness is to her, and the team’s, success. “The best thing about Emily as a player is that she will do whatever it takes to make herself better as an athlete, and do whatever is necessary to makes the team successful,” says Sarah. She goes on to add, “[Emily] works hard all the time, and always sets a good example for her teammates.”

Most two year captains tend to be the focal point of a team, either on the offense or defensive side. While Emily is within her own right a very talented softball player (is batting .375, has 3 2B’s, 14 RBI’s, an on base percentage of .543, and a fielding percentage of .941), but so are her teammates.

As a member of a very potent offense, Emily is asked to hit in the 9th hole, while manning 2nd base on a daily basis. While some captains may see this as a slight, Emily embraces her role near the end of the lineup, setting the table and rolling it back to the top. “Anywhere in our line-up is strong, and she embodies that strength,” says Sarah. She goes on to add, “She can add a spark at the end of our line-up, and she recognized that and is ready for the challenge.”

Fortunately for Emily, she has, and has always had, a consistent coach to help her along the way in her father, Mark Green. In his first year at the helm of the softball program at East, Mark Green has juggled both dad and head coach responsibilities. Emily describes her relationship with her father as her coach, saying, “I don’t see him as my dad on the field. He is the coach, and doesn’t treat me better or more harshly as his daughter. He is very fair.”

Mark describes Emily’s strengths as a softball player as an, “Exceptional baserunner, very good bunter, and a solid second baseman.” As person, Mark says, “She is intelligent, hard-working, and motivated to succeed.”
That motivation and intelligence has helped Emily earn a spot in the very competitive physical therapy program at Carroll University in Wisconsin. With a 4.3 grade point average, a 28 on the ACT, and a 1350 on the SAT, Emily has positioned herself to pursue both of her passions of playing softball and studying physical therapy in college.

Her Medical Topics teacher, Nancy Vesta, has spent plenty of time with Emily to know she has a bright future in the medical field. “This semester, [Emily] has had the opportunity to shadow both inpatient and outpatient therapists and is a natural,” says Nancy. She goes on to add, “She understands the reason behind the exercises and the healing process and develops relationships with the patient's easily. Emily will work just as diligently in college as she does now and will make an excellent physical therapist.

Like any good captain, Emily puts the needs of the team before her own by stating her individual goals as, “Being the best teammate I can, and taking it one game at a time.” As a student who will graduate in 2 short weeks, Emily advises the next generation of Wolves to, “Try as hard as you can, take school seriously, don’t stress too much, and you only get one chance, so make the best of it.” Hopefully Emily, and her teammates, can make the best of their chances this season by building on their historic success from last year.