Athlete Profile: Alyssa Strassburg

BOWLER — For most high school athletes, the coronavirus has delayed a spring sport. The virus is postponing two sports for Bowler senior Alyssa Strassburg, who plays softball for Bowler and competes for the Gresham/Bowler track and field team.

As a junior on the softball diamond, Strassburg made the Central Wisconsin Conference-North Division first team after posting a .375 batting average and .512 on-base percentage. She drove in seven runs and scored 13 times.

Strassburg made it to sectionals in discus after nearly breaking the school record at regionals. She finished fifth in discus at the CWC-Small Division Meet.

Q: When did your interest in the two sports (track and field, softball) begin?

A: I began track in eighth grade when one of my friends convinced me to go out for it and found that I really enjoyed throwing discus.

And I started playing little league around second grade, mostly because my older brother (Jacob) played. From there, I really fell in love with playing and started doing both little league and softball around fourth grade.

Q: What is your favorite part about both of those seasons?

A: I like the individual aspect of both softball and track. You always have your personal goals in sight, for example, like a higher batting average or further distance. All the individual goals are still for the success of the team.

Q: You are coming off a junior season where you made the all-conference first team in softball and made it to sectionals in track and field. With the coronavirus at least postponing the spring season, how would it make you feel if you weren’t able to play those two sports this spring?

A: I know I gave it all I had last year, and if those were my last times stepping on the field or stepping in the circle, I would know deep down if my senior season was canceled, I would wonder what could have been, but you always have to take what life gives you.

Q: Were you thinking about playing any sports at the collegiate level?

A: I have thought about going to the collegiate level, but have not accepted an offer as of yet. It isn’t very likely for me to do so because I’d like to focus on my studies and my future career.

Q: Had this spring season played out normally and you had a really good softball season or had a really good year throwing, would that have impacted that decision for you at all?

A: It might have. But usually, if you haven’t got what you want by the end of junior year, you probably aren’t going to get it. I understood that.

Q: With no official ruling on spring sports yet, how are you staying prepared should the seasons start up at some point?

A: I really do love both these sports, they’re my two favorite sports. So it’s fun for me to continue preparing for them if we do come back so I’m very ready to jump back into it. I’m optimistic that we can come back from this.

Q: While it’s tough to find a lot of positive impacts of the coronavirus, are there any life lessons that you can learn from this kind of adversity?

A: I guess I’ve learned to never take anything for granted and always practice and play like there’s no tomorrow.

Q: What’s your favorite memory of competing on the Bowler softball team and the Gresham/Bowler track and field team?

A: Probably my favorite memory from softball would have to be my first game of my freshman year. I hit my first over-the-fence home run.

(For track) Last year, when I was able to throw 107 feet, 5 inches at regionals. I missed the school record by two inches.

Q: Favorite TV show, movie and musical artist?

A: TV show — “Grey’s Anatomy” or “Madam Secretary.” Movie — I don’t really have a favorite movie, but I really enjoy the Christmas Hallmark movies. Musical artist — Either Lizzo or Carrie Underwood.

Q: Favorite athlete, and why?

A: Jennie Finch. When I was growing up and falling in love with playing ball, she was in the middle to the end of her career. She became an influencer for me and inspired me for what I could do.

Q: Name one thing about yourself that not many people know.

A: A good portion of my heart goes to golden retrievers.

Q: What is your favorite thing to do when you are not in school or competing in a high school sport?

A: I’m very active outside of school with groups like Shawano County Ag Ambassadors, 4-H, FFA, showing beef and swine and also working on my family’s dairy farm.

AT A GLANCE

Athlete: Alyssa Strassburg

Sports: Softball, track and field

Softball positions: outfield, third, second, first, catcher

Track and field events: discus, shot put, relays

School: Bowler High School

Year: Senior