Today’s softball spotlight introduces us to Kristen Williams, who prefers to be called “Avatar.” You’ll learn why she has that nickname and also why the SoCal standout is fired up to be going to a place not normally known for its softball prowess!

 

Name: KRISTEN “AVATAR” WILLIAMS
Grad Year: 2014
Pos: SS/3B
High School: Chaparral (Temecula, Calif.)
GPA: 3.3
Club: Minor’s Gold-Lovelace
Stats: (2014):  hitting .400 in 25 games with 30 RBI, 10 home runs, .477 OBP and a  slugging percentage of 1.391.
College: Idaho State

 

***

StudentSportsSoftball.com: You have one of the coolest nicknames in softball… tell us what it is and how you got it…
Avatar Willaims: It is “Avatar.” I got it the summer before my freshman year, right after the movie “Avatar” came out. I was playing for TNL 14U at the time. A teammate, Kaitlin, thought, like everyone else, that I looked just like one of the Avatar creatures because I always wear a braid and have sunglasses.

 

SSS.com:  You had a big tournament at the Carew Classic and were named to the All-Tourney team… what did that mean to you?
AW: I did not find out until a few days later at practice. I didn’t expect it. I was ecstatic when I found out. I know it is a big deal to make that All Tourney team and I am honored to have made it.

SSS.com: One of your coaches at ISU will be Team USA pitcher Jessica Moore… how exciting is that and was it one of the major reasons you chose Idaho State?
AW: It is awesome to know that a talented member of Team USA like Coach Jessica will be one of my coaches. But, she was not there at the time when I was a sophomore and picked ISU. It will be awesome to have a Team USA pitcher pitching to me at college during practices. I think that will make me a better hitter.

SSS.com: So are you ready, being a SoCal girls, for the winter wonderland that will be Idaho?
AW: No, I am not ready. But I am looking forward to the snow in winter. Especially since I never get to see much snow.

 

SSS.com: For those that aren’t familiar with the school or the program, what’s got you excited about it?
AW: I did not know much about ISU when they invited me out. But, I liked the vibe of Coach Julie and the team when I got there. Also, Pocatello reminded me of home (Temecula). Plus, I was introduced to the mayor of Pocatello during my visit. That was pretty cool. I agree with my dad, Coach Julie is building a good program there.

 

SSS.com: Tell us how you were first seen by the coaches, then how long until they offered?
AW: I emailed a lot of schools, but I never emailed ISU once. Coach Julie saw me at Jeff Blanco’s AFT recruiting camp. She invited me out on a visit. I visited them, CSUF, New Mexico State, and Lipscomb during my spring break in my sophomore year. She offered me on my visit. I did not visit South Carolina and Michigan State, because I knew in my heart Idaho State was the place for me.

 

SSS.com: When did you decide to commit and what led into the decision?
AW: I decided at the end of my sophomore year, after attending the Allister camp at “Zoom into June”. Coach Julie was one of the biggest reasons. Everything about the “vibe” that my dad talked about finding, was definitely there. It seemed to me and my parents that Coach Julie was trying to build something special there. I think Coach Jessica sees that as well and is why someone as good as her has decided to join ISU as one of the coaches.

SSS.com: Describe your emotions around telling them, were you more nervous or more excited?
AW: I was definitely excited. I called Coach Julie and told her to walk over to her white-board in her office. I told her to write my name down on her committed section of her board. We were all excited. I like that I picked and it wasn’t someone telling me where I was going.

SSS.com: Was distance a factor in your decision at all?
AW: Yes. I wanted to stay close at first. Fullerton was really interested and was about an hour from my house. But, the feeling at ISU was so awesome, it made the distance less important. Now I am OK with going away. I am kinda looking forward to it.

 

SSS.com:  What do you think (or have others said) are your strengths as a softball player?
AW: Probably my hitting. They say I have a lot of power. I just need to work on being more consistent. Coach Julie says about my defense that I am a 6 footer who plays like a 5 footer.

 

SSS.com: What’s been a top memory or two for you in your softball career?
AW: One is in Rec ball, my dad cut his hair into a Mohawk because we won our league championship. I cried. I did NOT like it! A second is in rec ball… my dad would buy the team ice cream at McDonalds after every win. We went for ice cream a lot that year. A third is this year in high school, a week ago when I hit three home runs in one game.

 

Quick Hitters

 

What do you want to major in?
Accounting.

Fill in the blank… When it comes to competing, I:_________________
… want to win!

Favorite color:
Blue.

Least favorite characteristic in a person:
Bad sportsmanship.

Favorite food:
Spaghetti.

Least favorite chore:
Dishes.

Favorite place in the world:
The river (Laughlin).

What’s your dream vacation?
The Caribbean.

What type of bat do you use (and why do you like it)?
Demarini Phenix (-8)… because it is heavy and has a lot of pop.

If you weren’t playing softball, what would you be doing?
Hanging out at the beach.

Who always makes you laugh?
My brother Aaron.

What’s something unusual or different about you that few know?
I may come off as a tough person sometimes, but I am really soft.

How would your friends describe you in one word? 
Goofy.

If you were stranded on a desert island and could only take one thing with you, what would it be?
Water.

Other than family, who’s your hero or someone you look up to most?
Myself… just kidding!