Today we go to the Land of Lincoln to spotlight an All-American candidate and this year’s Gatorade State Player of the Year in Illinois who didn’t even play softball all of last year after suffering a brutal knee injury.

However, she had a remarkable comeback this year to become one of the top players in the nation…

 

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Player: DALE RYNDAK
High School: Downers Grove North (Downers Grove, Ill.)
Grad year: 2014
GPA: 3.85
Pos: P/CF/1B
Team record: 28-3

Key Stats: 2014 pitching: 22-2 record, 219 strikeouts in 159 innings, 0.52 ERA, 17 shutouts, one perfect game, one no-hitter, five one-hitters, only 10 walks allowed; 2014 hitting: .446 batting average, 10 home runs, 41 RBI, 15 doubles, 22 walks
Honors: 2014 Gatorade State Player of the Year

Club team: Beverly Bandits – Team Premier
College: Arizona State

Quotables:
“I have now been a high school coach for nine years. Without a doubt, Dale Ryndak is the most talented and impressive player I have come across. Dale’s focus on the game and the rapport she has developed with her teammates and classmates is something that I am confident I will never see again. The way I saw Dale rebound from such a serious injury was impressive to monitor, as it proved how relentless and aggressive her work ethic truly is. On the softball field, I have yet to come across a high school student-athlete who has the capability to make her competition look so inferior in so many ways. Dale’s numbers and our team success during her four-year career speak praises of her talent. However, she also has an intrinsic motivation to be great at everything she does, both on and off the field, which makes her so unique. Dales makes everyone in her presence better at everything they do, and this includes the coaches she comes into contact with. Dale’s ability to stay humble while achieving such huge personal and team success is so rare to see in a high school student-athlete.”
— Eric Landschoot (varsity softball head coach, Downers Grove North High)

“Dale is a hard working student who strives to do her best in all areas. She has maintained a positive attitude throughout her adversity, missing an entire year of playing softball due to her injury. Instead of sulking about her situation, Dale grew and matured even more as a young woman. Her injury became an opportunity to grow instead of endure. Her attitude and determination to overcome this challenge established a strong foundation for her character. I know there are going to be girls with better numbers and stats. But I doubt very much there are not many more girls that posses her honesty, passion, determination, and willingness to always do the right thing, on the field, and more importantly off the field. Dale is one of the best all around players in the nation.”
— Mike Johnson (asst. varsity softball coach, Downers Grove North High)

 

Here’s info from a Player Spotlight we did in mid-April on Dale:

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StudentSportsSoftball.com: Your injury story is unbelievable… in your first high school game last March you tore your ACL, meniscus and fractured your knee. How did that happen and what was running through your mind at that time?
Dale Ryndak: I was rounding third base and my coach held me up since he didn’t want me to be in a close play at the plate. I put all of my weight on my right leg to stop my body from a full sprint and my knee just collapsed. It didn’t hurt too bad, but I knew right away something was wrong. My first thought was to just walk it off, but after not being able to carry myself off the field, I started realizing how serious the situation was and I was emotionless.

 

SSS.com: Were you terrified your softball career was over?
DR: I never thought it was going to be over, but I knew it would be a very long time before I saw the field again.

 

SSS.com: Sitting in the dugout while your team moved on had to be hard. How did you handle the “mental” rehab as well as the physical?
DR: Although the physical rehab was tiring and boring for a long time, it helped me get through the mental aspect of not plating since I was at least doing something to better myself. It killed me that I couldn’t contribute to my team and had to watch my friends and teammates celebrate and suffer together. It’s one of those things that doesn’t carry to the dugout and that I would not be apart of.

 

 

SSS.com: It had to be exhilarating getting back on the field after a long time off… tell us how that felt.
DR: It really didn’t feel like I missed anything. It was very normal and routine for me to play again and I was back playing where I left off.

 

SSS.com: Would you say you’re 100 percent back now or do you still catch yourself favoring the knee?
DR: I would say my body is ready but my head gets in the way of my body sometimes. I know for a fact I can compete and I am as strong as every girl out there but my mind is conscious of my knee more than my body is.

 

SSS.com: What advice would you give any athlete unfortunate to go through an injury and the rehab to get back to playing again?
DR: Never to rush anything. Your time will come to get back and play and your body will let you know how ready you are. No one can tell you if you are strong enough or not because only we know how ready our body is.

 

SSS.com: When and how did ASU first find out about you, when did they offer and what did they say they liked about you?
DR: I was notified that ASU was interested last summer during August but I didn’t take it serious at first. Once I started discussing it with my club coach more, she made it clear to me that I could never judge the school if I have never visited. I visited ASU in the beginning of October and decided later that month. The coaches knew me from previously scouting me when they coached at Ball State and NC State. They knew I was a tough competitor and had good velocity on my ball. But most of all, they liked my athleticism.

 

SSS.com: When did you decide to commit and what led into the decision?
DR: I decided in the end of October of 2013. After I hurt my knee, I realized that I only have so much time left in the softball world and I wanted to make the most of it. I wanted to be challenged every time I stepped onto the field. ASU is always a top competitor and I want to win a NCAA Championship.

 

SSS.com: How did you tell the Sun Devil coaches, was it in person, on the phone, or on an unofficial visit?
DR: I didn’t have much time to decided after I took my official, but I gave the coaches a call and let them know that I would be honored to become part of the Sun Devil program.

 

SSS.com: What do you remember most vividly about the committing conversation?
DR: To be completely honest I don’t remember much, the de-commiting conversation was a tad bit more memorable. [Editor’s note: Dale had originally committed to Purdue before signing with ASU].

 

SSS.com: Was distance a factor in your decision at all?
DR: At first it was, but Arizona felt like home to me when I visited and I really don’t mind moving away from home anymore. Tempe and Phoenix reminds me of Chicago.

 

SSS.com: What do you think (or have others said) are your strengths as a softball player?
DR: My mom always tells me that I have great composure on the mound. I don’t show too much emotion, which I think is alright since I practice in a very calm environment and you play like you practice.

 

SSS.com: What’s been a top memory or two for you in your softball career?
DR: Two summers ago, my Bandits team played Team Mizuno in the Demarini tournament in Glen Ellyn, Illinois. That team went on to win Nationals that year and was always the best team in the 16s age division. I pitched against them in the Demarini tournament and we beat them in the last inning. Not only did I pitch my heart out, but the fact that my whole team contributed in the win made beating Team Mizuno that much better. I’ve hit many homers in my career but nothing felt as good as beating that team.

Quick Hitters

 

What’s more fun: hitting a home run or striking out a batter in a key moment?
Hitting a homer.

Fill in the blank… the best part about softball is: _____________________
… the inner-squad competitiveness and camaraderie with the team.

Do you follow world and national news? If so, how do you keep track of what’s going on?
I watch the Today show in the morning while I am eating breakfast.

Favorite saying/phrase:
Stay humble and be respectful.

What’s your dream vacation?
Hawaii, I’ve been there eight times.

What type of bat do you use (and why do you like it)?
Demarini CF5.

If you go out to see a movie, what genre are you most likely to see: comedy, adventure, horror, musical, animated or something else?
I love scary movies.

What’s something unusual or different about you that few know?
I really enjoy making bowls and vases on the potter’s wheel.

Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
I would love to become a softball coach .

Do you see yourself as a role model, being a senior, to younger players? Why or why not?
Yes, I am my High School team’s captain and lead my team in batting average.

Who’s your hero or someone you look up to most?
My older sister, she’s the one who got me interested in softball and pitching.