JENSYN ELDER
RiverHawks Softball
Success in life can be strengthened, often determined through relationships. For Jensyn Elder, a member of the RiverHawks softball team, past and current relationships as well as trust continue to result in winning, on and off the field.
“Coming out of high school, I waited really long to get recruited, wanting to find the right place for me as person as well as a player. Coach (John) Sisemore was a pitching coach at Crowder College at that time, who understood my needs and helped me to find a new home.”
After being part of winning two Region 16 championships, Elder again had options. The coach/player relationship would eventually lead Elder “to the ‘Quah.”
“I had a lot of options resulting from my stats and number of innings in the circle. I was one of five incoming juniors that initially went to another school where I enjoyed life off the field but would only throw 1.1 innings leaving me hungry to enter the transfer portal. Two former NSU players, Savannah Evans and Chloe Bohuslavicky, both encouraged me to check it out. I heard about the coaching change at NSU – so I reached out to Sisemore, now the athletic director at NSU, and he talked with me about coach B (Cassidee Bowen) being hired and why it would be a perfect fit.”
On her official visit, Elder admits she could feel the pull to choose NSU for her future.
“Our coaching staff talked earnestly about their game plan to develop successful people trained for the real world, not just softball players trying to win a game. I knew this is where I wanted to stay.”
Since the first practice last fall and her time in the classroom, Elder has enjoyed the opportunity to win everyday at NSU.
“It’s been all about stacking the little things and big victories together,” said Elder, who majors in Health and Human Performance with a career choice in pediatric physical therapy. “My professors understand student athletes need to put focus in your sport. They all go above the norm to help you not get behind in the classroom. They take you on as one of their own and care about your success in life as well.”
And according to the Riverhawks pitcher, the variety of campus life opportunities makes college fun.
“You can balance the needs of your schedule, homework and find your fit through the different organizations on campus and in the local community,” Elder said noting her focus to getting ahead in the count with class assignments while taking part in on-campus activities like the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. “You can be happy and competitive at the same time. And with the help of everyone at NSU, be ready to face whatever challenge might come your way. Thanks to Northeastern State University, I’m ready to make the winning pitch.”
