Both athletes are fast—one was just a little quicker on the draw in verballing to a college.

Sabrina Rabin committed in the winter of her sophomore year while Marissa Panko waited almost a year later, but for both the end result is the same—the current teammates on the Illinois Chill Gold team together will be headed to Northwestern a year from now.

Rabin, a speedy centerfielder , and Panko, a shortstop with an exceptionally quick glove-to-hand transfer, are in their third year playing with the Chill and, according to Head Coach Gerry Quinn, are the type of players you build programs around.

“When we got them we knew we had two special kids that were going to help form the central core of what we were about for the next three years,” he says. “Part of me is excited about watching them develop their games even further this year and the other part of me is sad knowing I only have one year left with them.  Replacing their talent and dedication level will be a real challenge.”

At the plate, Rabin is a double waiting to happen.  She hit .495 and went 40 for 40 in steals this year.  Her coach says she’s the fastest player ever in the Chill program which is known for having players who are exceptional students.

“Considering the level of competition we face these are incredible numbers,” says Quinn. “I think only a couple of the steal attempts were even close.”

Rabin explains her DNA was wired for speed, but has worked to hone that weapon in her offensive arsenal.

“Ever since I was little I knew that I was pretty fast,” Rabin begins, “but I also realized that there was a lot that I could improve on. In eighth grade I decided to go see Chris Korfist, one of the track coaches at York High School, to see what I could do to improve my speed. He has trained all-state athletes and even some Olympians. Through weights, resistance bands, and various other exercises he has helped me, and continues to help me, get stronger and quicker.”

Panko, too, is fast and converted to hitting left-handed just a few years ago to take advantage of her speed, but her power is developing surprisingly well.   After not hitting a home run last summer, she led the Chill this year in extra base hits and tied for the team lead in home runs.

“Marissa is a multi-tool player,” states Quinn. “She can make a spectacular play at shortstop, steal a base or hit an extra base hit to help you win a game.”

Both incoming juniors, they individually reached the conclusion that Northwestern was the right choice for them.

“I knew that Northwestern was definitely one of my top choices since I was 11 and attending their softball camps and clinics,” says Rabin who committed almost two years ago when she was halfway through her softball year.

“These camps allowed me to get to know the coaches and some of the players. I loved the sense of family and unity among the players and coaches. Academics have been a huge factor in my picking a college and it’s a top priority for my family and for myself. Northwestern has stellar academics, so the university was the full package for me.”

For Panko, the process took a bit longer before she pulled the trigger on committing last November.  Unlike her teammate Rabin, who committed before her recruiting had begun in earnest, Panko had several offers and took some unofficial trips before everything fell into place.

She ticks off a list of positives that weighed in the Big Ten school’s favor.

“NU is known nationwide for their prestigious academics and has a great reputation for students finding jobs after graduation,” Panko starts.

“They have a well-known softball program and the coaches know how to instruct their players. NU softball also has a unique situation having the Drohan sisters coach the team.  Plus, the campus is beautiful and in a great location near Chicago with its own beach on Lake Michigan!”

Part of her choosing the Wildcats was also due to the fact that it felt comparable to her Chill experience.

“Since I have played with a couple of girls on the Illinois Chill team that now play on the Northwestern team, it makes me feel at home and welcome.

There, everything is about the team. They watch out for each other and push each other to succeed, which I feel is a reflection of the coaching staff and the program they run. It’s like having a family away from home and I already know I can count on anyone if I ever need anything.”