Meet New Pac-12 Commit Carmina Nicolas
Meet New Pac-12 Commit Carmina Nicolas
It was an exciting start to the New Year for one Southern California junior as she pulled the trigger on committing to one of the top academic universities
It was an exciting start to the New Year for one Southern California junior as she pulled the trigger on committing to one of the top academic universities in the nation which also happens to be in one of the most competitive softball conferences around!
Here’s a closer look at this player who also is a standout in another sport…
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Name: Carmina Nicolas
Pos: Outfield
Club Team: Explosion-Greg
High School: High Tech High (San Diego)
Grad Year: 2017
College: Stanford
Key Stats/Honors: San Diego CIF softball champion, San Diego Metro All-Academic Team, attended PGF Championships since 2012, and qualified two years in a row for CIF San Diego Section Track and Field Championships.
When and how did you commit?
I committed to Stanford this past Wednesday (January 6). I visited the campus for two days in December. I waited until after the holiday season and made an exciting call to Coach (Rachel) Hanson and I told her I wanted to be a part of the Cardinal program.
Did you consider other schools or take other campus visits?
I was considering about four other schools. I took a visit to Duke University for a couple days during Thanksgiving break and to San Diego State my freshman year. I was also considering Colgate University and Boston University.
Obviously Stanford has great academics… what else sold you playing for the school?
I was sold on playing for Coach Hanson and her staff. I've heard wonderful things about their program. I love their winning attitude and commitment to excellence both on and off the field. Also, the location! I love the Bay Area so much. It's the land of innovation and it's so close to home. My uncle has an animal sanctuary an hour away, so I get to be on a farm away from the Farm.
What’s been the highlight of your softball career so far?
Definitely last October at the D9 Showcase in Orlando. It was my 16th birthday and I was glad to have celebrated it with my Explosion teammates.
What something unique or different about you few people know?
I have an unhealthy obsession with Harry Potter. I don't know how it started, but I've loved it ever since. After the D9 Showcase, my mom and I went to Diagon Alley at the Wizarding World of Harry Potter in Orlando and I was hardcore freaking out. I had to buy an interactive wand and everything!
If you weren’t playing softball, what would you be doing?
If I wasn't playing softball, I would probably be running track! I used to train a lot with my sprint coach who ran in the Olympics, but I haven't seen him recently because I've been caught up with softball.
What’s the best movie you’ve seen in the last 1-2 months?
I haven't watched a movie in the past couple of months actually. I've been busy keeping up with The Walking Dead on AMC (Spoiler: Glenn's alive!!!!).
What’s playing in your ear buds or headphones right now?
It depends on my mood. I can either go from listening to Adele or One Direction to Drake and Kanye West. Everyone's been releasing new music and it all goes onto my playlist.
What’s the best thing about softball?
The competition aspect. I love competing. On the outside, I probably look calm and level-headed, but deep down I absolutely hate losing. The feeling of losing never feels good and I don't ever want to get used to it.
If you were President of the U.S. for 24 hours, what would be the top change you’d make?
If I were President, I'd make health care free for all children. They are our future and we need to make sure they have a good start to a healthy life.
What’s the biggest threat facing your generation?
I think the biggest threat facing my generation is being in debt after college. With rising tuition prices, my friends and their families have encountered this issue. They have little to no financial aid and still struggle to pay off their debts.
Who would you say has been the biggest hero or most influential person in your life on the field? Off the field?
On the field, it's been my hitting coach, Whitney Benjamin Holum. She is an NCAA Champion and a Bruin for life. She's been so positive and has had a huge impact on my life. She's helped me develop my toolset for the past two years. I love her so so much. Off the field, my parents have been the biggest influences. They support me with everything I do and I can't thank them enough. With all the constant traveling and days off, they have sacrificed so much for me and I hope to be like them one day.
Here’s a closer look at this player who also is a standout in another sport…
***
Name: Carmina Nicolas
Pos: Outfield
Club Team: Explosion-Greg
High School: High Tech High (San Diego)
Grad Year: 2017
College: Stanford
Key Stats/Honors: San Diego CIF softball champion, San Diego Metro All-Academic Team, attended PGF Championships since 2012, and qualified two years in a row for CIF San Diego Section Track and Field Championships.
When and how did you commit?
I committed to Stanford this past Wednesday (January 6). I visited the campus for two days in December. I waited until after the holiday season and made an exciting call to Coach (Rachel) Hanson and I told her I wanted to be a part of the Cardinal program.
Did you consider other schools or take other campus visits?
I was considering about four other schools. I took a visit to Duke University for a couple days during Thanksgiving break and to San Diego State my freshman year. I was also considering Colgate University and Boston University.
Obviously Stanford has great academics… what else sold you playing for the school?
I was sold on playing for Coach Hanson and her staff. I've heard wonderful things about their program. I love their winning attitude and commitment to excellence both on and off the field. Also, the location! I love the Bay Area so much. It's the land of innovation and it's so close to home. My uncle has an animal sanctuary an hour away, so I get to be on a farm away from the Farm.
What’s been the highlight of your softball career so far?
Definitely last October at the D9 Showcase in Orlando. It was my 16th birthday and I was glad to have celebrated it with my Explosion teammates.
What something unique or different about you few people know?
I have an unhealthy obsession with Harry Potter. I don't know how it started, but I've loved it ever since. After the D9 Showcase, my mom and I went to Diagon Alley at the Wizarding World of Harry Potter in Orlando and I was hardcore freaking out. I had to buy an interactive wand and everything!
If you weren’t playing softball, what would you be doing?
If I wasn't playing softball, I would probably be running track! I used to train a lot with my sprint coach who ran in the Olympics, but I haven't seen him recently because I've been caught up with softball.
What’s the best movie you’ve seen in the last 1-2 months?
I haven't watched a movie in the past couple of months actually. I've been busy keeping up with The Walking Dead on AMC (Spoiler: Glenn's alive!!!!).
What’s playing in your ear buds or headphones right now?
It depends on my mood. I can either go from listening to Adele or One Direction to Drake and Kanye West. Everyone's been releasing new music and it all goes onto my playlist.
What’s the best thing about softball?
The competition aspect. I love competing. On the outside, I probably look calm and level-headed, but deep down I absolutely hate losing. The feeling of losing never feels good and I don't ever want to get used to it.
If you were President of the U.S. for 24 hours, what would be the top change you’d make?
If I were President, I'd make health care free for all children. They are our future and we need to make sure they have a good start to a healthy life.
What’s the biggest threat facing your generation?
I think the biggest threat facing my generation is being in debt after college. With rising tuition prices, my friends and their families have encountered this issue. They have little to no financial aid and still struggle to pay off their debts.
Who would you say has been the biggest hero or most influential person in your life on the field? Off the field?
On the field, it's been my hitting coach, Whitney Benjamin Holum. She is an NCAA Champion and a Bruin for life. She's been so positive and has had a huge impact on my life. She's helped me develop my toolset for the past two years. I love her so so much. Off the field, my parents have been the biggest influences. They support me with everything I do and I can't thank them enough. With all the constant traveling and days off, they have sacrificed so much for me and I hope to be like them one day.